IDLE made a winning start to life in Division Two against all odds at LIGHTCLIFFE.

A heavy defeat looked on the cards when they found themselves nine for four but a battling 44 from new skipper Danny Shuffe and 26 from wicket-keeper John Barton saw them to 104 all out, Richard Nichols taking six for 22.

The hosts still looked favourites, especially after putting on 41 for the first wicket. But new signings Mohammad Fayyaz (5-16) and Mohammad Rasool (4-17) saw Lightcliffe slump to 84 all out.

It was a good day for the other relegated side as FARSLEY enjoyed a comprehensive win at BANKFOOT.

Charlie Hall top-scored with 37 to help the visitors to 156 all out before off-spinner Harvey Anderson, a winter recruit from Idle, celebrated his debut by taking five for 12.

He would be quick to acknowledge the excellent efforts of fellow newcomer Oliver Howick, who claimed four for 11 in 14 overs.

Highly-fancied UNDERCLIFFE came unstuck at SPEN VICTORIA where the home side recorded a 76-run success. New skipper Peter Jackson made a great start for Spen by hitting a superb 85 as he shared in a second-wicket stand of 134 with new overseas player Naeemmuddin Qazi (54).

Former Spen left-armer James Russell took five for 52 on his return to Spen Lane but his joy was short-lived when his side were dismissed for 100 in reply to 176 for eight.

Imran Amin, who joined Spen Victoria from Undercliffe in the close season, claimed three for 20 and the wily ex-Manningham Mills spinner Mohammad Maroof picked up three for 29.

KEIGHLEY came out on top at fellow promotion hopefuls MORLEY, who were dismissed for 112, with teenage seamer Max Davidson taking four for 50. Richard Robinson was his usual miserly self, conceding ten runs off 14 overs.

Some of Morley's shot selections left something to be desired and it was only a gutsy 45 from Dave Nebard, on his return from injury, that helped the hosts past three figures.

The visitors still eased to their target with four wickets to spare, skipper Steve Reape making 37.

GOMERSAL's new overseas player Kashif Naveed, who had a fine season for Great Horton last year, made 84 as he helped his new side defeat hosts WINDHILL by 151 runs.

Former Yorkshire player Bradley Parker (54) was the other main contributor as Gomersal made the day's highest score, 218 for six.

In reply, Windhill were skittled for just 67, a score which would have been even smaller if it hadn't been for a determined innings of 44 not out by new overseas player Ammar Mahmood. Skipper Rob Burton was the pick of the Gomersal bowlers with four for 29.

GREAT HORTON had little trouble accounting for HARTSHEAD MOOR at home. The visitors were dismissed for just 82, despite 38 from Danny Squire, as Mohammad Sharafat marked his return after a spell playing in Leicestershire with three for five.

Sharafat also made an unbeaten 35 as Great Horton eased to a six-wicket victory.