SHOCKS were not hard to find in the opening round of the Paddock Shield, as holders Shepley and League champions Skelmanthorpe both went tumbling out at the first stage.

And as in the Sykes Cup, it was Hall Bower who were again the chief destroyers, their second string just edging out Shield holders Shepley by 10 runs.

In-form Danny Moss was again in the runs, falling just seven short of his second ton of the season, while he had great support from Robert Nettleton (53), Jason Greenway (39) and Martin Senior (32no) as the Bower totalled 274-5.

Rob Denton put Shepley in with a fighting chance with 62, as did young Chris Cox, who struck a valiant 44 batting at No9, but the Marsh Lane side were to come up short.

League champions Skelmanthorpe never got that close at Holmfirth, where the home side had Phil Birkhead largely to thank for their fine 39-run win.

Chris Cowell (27) and Birkhead (26) put on a half-century for the first wicket, while Mike Bocarro added 34 before a complete collapse started by Steve Glover (four for 11) and Dan Barber (three for 16) had Holmfirth going from 102-2 to 122 all out.

Ryan Jagger made 23 at the top of Skelmanthorpe’s order, but that was the sum total of their reply as they shuttered to 83 all out, Birkhead finishing with the excellent figures of five for 10 from 10.3 overs.

The other big name to disappear from the competition were Honley, who, despite a chanceless century from Chris Woodhead (101no) were bowled out for 164 at Kirkburton, Oliver Davidson and Jimmy Lodge each taking three wickets for 36.

Dave Greaves (41) and Steve Jepson (64no) laid the foundations for Burton who cantered to an eight-wicket win, Josh Ardron weighing in with 25.

There were plenty of other ‘big names’ to coast through to the second round, Barkisland beating Rastrick by 178 runs, the home side accruing a hefty 292-7 thanks to Jacob Travis with 109, backed up by Tom Booth (68) and Daniel Sykes (42).

Sykes then claimed three for four from 12 overs (nine of them maidens) while Jamie Colman took three for three as only Oliver Ashford (57) resisted.

Elland beat Armitage Bridge by five wickets, Dominic Finn’s 82 not out the difference between the sides, while Meltham made a massive 333-8 against Paddock – but still had to endure a determined Cedar Court outfit before dismissing them for a very brave 286.

Richard Holroyd (95) and Barry Shaw (76) were Meltham’s main run-scorers, Tony Goldstein taking four wickets, before Barry Walsh struck 108 in reply with great support from Bob Battye (65) who threatened to make a real game of it before being halted by the Palmers, Chris taking four for 23 and Robert four for 52.

There was a 10-wicket win for Slaithwaite over Almondbury, a nine-wicket win for Hoylandswaine and Scholes also cruised through.