Rastrick got the better of higher-ranked Fastbats E in one of the closest Tony Theobould Trophy first-round matches.

Mid-table Bradford League Division Four visitors Rastrick had a 45-point handicap start and used it to edge out the Division Three bottom side 459-455.

Rastrick increased their initial advantage to 68 points when Terry Bostock overcame Colin Priestley, leaving Fastbats an uphill task.

Mick Holt led a fightback as the hosts won the next six sets by 86 points to move 18 points ahead with two sets to play.

But Bostock then overcame John Porter 42-29 to leave the match on a knife edge, before Mick Whitham overcame a slow start in the decider to beat Priestley 11-4 for a four-point final cushion.

In the Burton Cup, one of Fastbats’ new boys came up trumps as their A team edged out Division One hosts Unity A 5-4.

Barnsley-based Liam Carson has been recruited by Sally Shutt through her coaching links and he was the star performer with three wins against Unity, with Bob Shutt adding two singles.

RESULTS – Burton Cup, first round: Rastrick BC 4, Laisterdyke A 5; Unity A 4, Fastbats A 5; Fastbats E 3, Laisterdyke B 6; Embassy B 8, Fastbats D 1.

Tony Theobould Trophy, first round: Fastbats D 424, Hermits E 509; Highdale D 467, Hermits G 523; Fastbats E 455, Rastrick BC 459; Salem 546, Embassy C 567; Hermits A 370, Fastbats C 418; Baildon B 530, Fastbats F 484; Hermits B 490, Hermits F 492; Drummonds 517, Hermits D 518; Highdale C 369, Pudsey B 531; Baildon A 379, Hermits I 319; Embassy B 417, Unity D 428; Hermits J 557, Hermits H 639.

Division One: Police 3, Dewsbury Sedbergh 7. Division Two: Unity B 6, Unity C 4; Laisterdyke A 3, Unity B 7. Division Four: Rastrick BC 6, Unity D 4.