DESPITE losing a wicket to the first ball of their innings, Crossflatts romped to an eight-wicket victory over Bingley Congs as Sir Tom Moore's favourite sport made its belated return in the Mewies Solicitors Craven League.

Brothers were in opposition as Congs what could be a last regular visit to Ryshworth Park - Keighley Cup permitting - as Covid Cup Group B underway.

The visitors made 160-7, with opener George Hicks scoring 49 on his debut before being run out by a direct hit from the boundary by Joe Greenwood.

Mohammed Adil (22) helped former Saltaire player Hicks add 44 for the first wicket, and No 3 Chris Dibb made 22, but they needed a lusty 31 not out from Matt Roberts to push on as they made former Congs bowler Mayank Singh suffer.

Crossflatts, who included George's younger brother Joe, timed their reply nicely, scoring 163-2 in 30.4 overs.

Opener Haris Hussain (61) and Josh Brooksbank (68no) put on 100 for the second wicket, with only Neil Copping being able to stem the flow of runs.

Hepworth & Idle, denied the chance to play in Division One until next season because of Covid-19, were indebted to Chris Mitchell, whose 62, including six fours and three sixes, in the middle order was the dominant knock in their 141 in Group C at Bingley Congs II.

No-one else made 20 as Towhid Ali (3-34), leg spinner Asher Nutting (2-26), Jonny Teale (2-17) and Simon Webster (2-29) held the whip hand.

Three Congs batsmen did pass 20 in reply, but Chris Hemsley and Ali (22 each) and Nutting (21) needed more support in their 108 as Jonny Thompson (4-16), Mitchell (4-43) and former Congs player Nathan Allatt (2-4 off five overs) helped the visitors to a 33-run win.

Denholme's bowlers were all on the mark at home to Haworth Road Meths.

Phil Poole Jnr (4-14) led the way and was backed up by Sarum Qureshi (3-17) in Meths' 77.

Denholme were then seen to a three-wicket win by Callum Gerrard (28no), as Shahid Saleem (4-28) and Tom Kaznowski (3-18) caused a late flurry of wickets.

Eldwick & Gilstead, former tenants at Aire View, and their former landlords Bradford & Bingley had a good contest at Grange Road in Group D.

Former Wagon Lane player Matthew Sharp's 37 not out swelled E&G's total to 131 but opener Deependra Rathore's 27 was the only other score of note.

Bingley were given a good start by William Johnston (40) and Phil Broadley (24) and they were seen to a six-wicket victory by Shahbaz Ahmed (26no) and Adam Swallow (24no) with only nine balls to spare, as Sharp took 3-13.

Crossflatts II and Hepworth & Idle II were also involved in a thriller at Westfield Lane.

Skipper Michael Bailey (70 off just 53 balls) and Lee Bailey (66no off 96 balls) dominated Crossflatts II's 187-4, with Dave Matthews (5-0-12-1) being the only bowler to stem the flow.

Garfield Allen (51 off 39 balls) and James Bentley (38) did well in the reply but Hepworth & Idle fell just short on 183-8, with Mark Pennington's 0-15 off six overs at the start of the innings being crucial.