IN the Halifax League Premier Division, Thornton’s Josh Hutchinson looked like he had been playing all winter as he demolished the Sowerby Bridge attack at Walton Street with a superb 167.

Nikki Hutchinson (58) was an able early partner as the visitors closed on 312-7.

That total was always going to be a big ask but Chris Metcalf (93) gave the home team every chance as the score reached 170-2, but the remaining wickets fell at regular intervals and the innings fizzled out at 279 all out.

Within the last few days, a Sowerby Bridge player has unfortunately tested positive for Covid-19. The club have taken action to safeguard all their members and others, including Thornton, who were immediately informed.

Saturday’s scheduled fixture for Bridge versus Triangle has been cancelled as a result.

Elsewhere at the weekend, Illingworth St Mary’s enjoyed the sunshine as they easily beat visiting Shelf Northowram Hedge Top by 114 runs.

Hamza Mehmood (56) and Ben Robertshaw (53) were the major contributors in a below-par score of 190-8 for Illingworth.

But Hedge Top were never really in the match, with wickets failing regularly when they batted.

Three St Mary’s bowlers picked up three cheap wickets apiece in the Shelf reply of 76 all out.

Pre-season Second Division title favourites, Queensbury, were indebted to skipper Oliver Challis (70 not out) for getting them out of trouble at Leymoor.

They found themselves at 48-5 in their reply to the home team’s 99 all out, but Challis’ one-man batting effort proved decisive after Gareth Walker has previously taken 5-44.

Cullingworth inserted the home team on their visit to Outlane only to find opener Jordon Croft already hitting form.

Despite losing six partners on his way to 83 runs, they all chipped in with some useful scores as the innings closed at a respectable 220-8.

Cullingworth never really looked like topping that score and while skipper George Fletcher (57) tried to boost the middle order, once he was out at 127-5, the innings did not pick up.

The away side’s 45-over total of 185-9 gave Outlane an opening day 35-run win.