BRADFORD opened the Yorkshire League season with a keenly-contested 1-1 Premier Division draw at neighbours Ben Rhydding Seconds.

After edging the first half on possession and chances, Bradford reached half-time 1-0 down after conceding at a short corner.

But they played with patience and commitment in the second period to force an equaliser and ended the game much the stronger.

Bradford fielded a young side, with inside forwards Alex Stewart and Charlie Sorton coming in after good seasons last year with the second and fourth teams.

Spike Johnston was at centre half and Rowan Tejura, formerly of Slazengers, was added to the defensive options.

Forward Charlie Norman, who joined recently from Bradford University, and striker Kasim Mughal, who returned to the team for a second spell, completed the new additions.

Bradford started well, working promising openings through good interplay across the front five, resulting in near misses for Adam Ashton, Simon Hinchcliffe and Sorton.

Ben Rhydding's 4-3-3 formation offered them good width and their early attacking threat came down the wings, generating some inviting crosses.

The opening goal came from a short corner which Bradford failed to clear, Ben Rhydding converting from short range after a rebound from a post.

But Bradford continued to play the more constructive hockey, with Johnston controlling midfield and Guy Sutcliffe and man of the match Nick Smith offering energetic support from half back.

The team were also mixing up their passes, working openings from aerial balls for James Hunt and Ashton, ground shots from Mughal and Sorton and a succession of short-corner opportunities.

Chances continued to be created in the second half, with Ben Rhydding restricted to occasional forays into the Bradford D.

Full backs Jack Handley, Andy Moriarty and Tejura restricted the opposition to few clear chances and keeper Danny Hardaker was called into action on only a few occasions.

Bradford's equaliser came midway through the second half after a succession of short corners, with Mughal firing high into the top-left corner from the edge of the D.

Bradford pressed hard in the closing stages, nearly scoring after some excellent interplay between Ashton and Hunt and some intricate stick work from Mughal.

The level of pressure on the Ben Rhydding goal was reflected in their receipt of two green cards and a yellow.

Bradford Seconds won 4-1 at Bingley Bees in Division Four North, while the third team won 2-0 at home to Harrogate Fifths in Division Six North, where Bradford Fourths went down 4-0 at Harrogate Sixths.

Bradford lost 3-1 to City of York Fourths in Yorkshire Women's Division Four, where Bingley Bees Seconds – under new skipper Joanne Gray – christened their new home pitch at Bradford Grammar School with a 2-1 home defeat against Huddersfield.

The hosts believed they were well prepared after coaching sessions by Cath Burgess but instead made a nervous start.

Yet after many minutes of defending, the Bees broke out and took the lead when Maddie Silberberg shot home from the perimeter of the circle.

Taking the lead though appeared to sidetrack the home side and, despite the best efforts of defender Sharon Stamp, Huddersfield scored two goals in quick succession.

The Bees upped their work rate in the second half, Sarah Eaton and Silberberg starring, but they could not force an equaliser.