THE Airedale and Wharfedale League season got off to a start with champions Bilton still piling up the runs.

Bilton hit 203-7 thanks to useful knocks from the returning Anthony Burton (62), Miles Corrish (43) and Mick Emmerson (41) as they battled against Rawdon's new bowler W Yan who grabbed 5-56.

Rawdon replied with 174-7 to draw with former Yeadon batsman Jonathan Carey making a good start with an innings of 55 and fellow newcomer Chris Quaife hit 30 on his league debut.

Last season's runners-up Guiseley have strengthened their bowling with the acquisition of former Northumberland player Peter Graham from the Bradford League but he was unable to grab any limelight as Collingham had the better of a drawn game.

Collingham were well on top of the Guiseley bowling making 218-3 thanks to Matthew Cooke (68), Mark Woodward (64 no) and Nathan Rosser (45). Rosser then grabbed five wickets but Glen Taylor fended Collingham off with a top score of 65.

Beckwithshaw captain Kevin Lowe was the league's only century maker on the opening day hitting an unbeaten 115 against Steeton.

Beckwithshaw made 210-6 and then Robin McIntyre (5-47) and Andy Gott (3-25) put Steeton out for 148, Gary Boulton showing some resistance with 57 while Oliver Gledhill made 38.

Green Lane made a good start following their promotion with a win at Follifoot where their 6ft 5 ins tall overseas player Daniel Rowe took 5-84 as Follifoot made 182-7.

Lane went on to win by four wickets with Gareth Lee hitting 44, David Whittaker 42 no and Barry McCormick, after a late move from Guiseley, making 27.

Menston fell to an opening day defeat by North Leeds despite making a useful 186-6 with newcomers Heffernan and Dulson hitting 48 and 42 respectively. With D Yeates in fine form with an unbeaten 69 North Leeds knocked off the runs with seven wickets in hand.

Burley failed by 23 runs to match the Adel score of 175 of which John Francas made 41 in opening the innings.Support came from Nick Smith with 28 and Stuart Howie with 20. Burley's best bowling came from Nick Brook with 4-62 off 17.5 overs while Richard Harrison picked up 3-52 off 15 overs.

Burley's new overseas player David Pike, the former Pool Mills player, hit a half-century but could not bring victory for his side. Burley were 34-3 when he came to the wicket with only opener Richard Brook with 27making any impact.It took a lusty 19 not out at the end from number ten Rob McLKenzie to give the scoire a real push.

Francas completed a useful all round performance with 3-44 off 14 overs and Tim Grey had 4-41 off 15 overs.

Beckwithshaw 210-6 (K Lowe 115 n.o., P Thompson 20), Steeton 148 (A Howarth 27, G Boulton 57, O Gledhill 38, R McIntire 5-47, A Gott 3-25). Beckwithshaw won by 62 runs.

Bilton 203-7 (M Corish 43, M Emmerson 41, St Lawrence 23, A Burton 62, W Yan 56-5), Rawdon 174-7 (J Carey 55, C Quaife 30, D Stow 26, D Rock 30 n.o., S Lawrence 3-64). Winning draw to Bilton.

Menston 186-6 (G Thompson 43, M Dulson 42, M Heffernan 48, B Singleton 5-52), North Leeds 187-3 (D Yeates 69 n.o., A Aldred 35, N Baker 46 n.o.). North Leeds won by seven wickets.

Collingham 218-3 (M Cooke 68, M Woodward 64 n.o., N Rosser 45), Guiseley 176-9 (G Taylor 65, S Ross 27, N Rosser 5-65). Winning draw to Collingham.

Follifoot 182-7 (P Miller 22, M Halmshaw 22, C Newton 54, P Angove 49 n.o., D Rowe 5-84), Green Lane 186-6 (G Lee 44, C Cay 25, B McCormick 27, D Whitaker 42 n.o., D Parry 3-53). Green Lane won by four wickets.

Adel 175 (N Smith 28, J Francas 41, N Brook 4-62, R Harrison 3-52); Burley 152 (D Pike 54, R Brook 27, J Francas 3-44, T Grey 4-41). Adel won by 23 runs.