Last season, Salem Athletic were rooted to the foot of the table for most of the season Bradford Central Cricket League First Division.

But how times have changed. They now sit proudly at the top of the of the league, six points clear of their nearest rivals after their comprehensive 116- run win over newcomers Greenfield.

Thanks to solid knocks by Abdul Sammand (48) and Mohammed Siraj (42), Salem reached 258 for nine. In reply, Greenfield were reduced to 142 (Majid ur Rehman 4-35).

The meeting of last season's champions Girlington at runners-up Apperley Bridge proved to be a disappointment for the visitors who could muster just 85 (Waqas Ahmed 6-29)in reply to Apperley Bridge's 170 (Mohammed Junaid 48, Sermad Hussain 5-42).

After a delayed start, Allerton kicked off their season in style by making 220 for six (C Brown 63) in a four-wicket victory at local rivals Great Horton Church (218-9) in which Aris Mehmood hit 70 for the home side and Zeeshan Asar, making his debut for the visitors, returned six for 61.

Norwood Green (115-7, Mudasser Hussain 55), also making a belated start, recorded a three-wicket win over visitors Thornbury, who had earlier been dismissed for 113.

Division Two leaders Great Horton Church (192-9, Abrar Hussain 56) maintained their perfect start with a 42-run win at Allerton (150), where Mohammed Tariq (64 and 3-44) was a major contributor for the defeated home side.

Girlington (186-8) recorded a two-wicket win on their seasonal debut over visitors Apperley Bridge (184), where Ghulam Rehman (50) and Suhail Ahmed (49) were to the fore for the visitors.

In the final fixture, Thornbury (96-3) completed a seven-wicket win over visitors Norwood Green (92).