Jacob Waterson has helped Rastrick get quick out of the blocks this season and guided them into the arrowselfdrive Sykes Cup first round with an excellent undefeated century.

After scoring an unbeaten 30 in their Cedar Court Conference win against Birkby Rose Hill, when Alex Rowles hit 63 not out in a 10-wicket win, the signing from Sheffield Collegiate hit 122 not out to thwart Denby Dale – despite a brilliant 156 from their New Zealand overseas returnee Nick Wanden.

The Auckland-based all-rounder’s effort (he was at the club two years ago) enabled the Dale to reach 269 all out in reply to Rastrick’s 291-2, so Waterson – who played for Rastrick in the juniors – and his teammates go forward to a home tie with Premiership Skelmanthorpe at Round Hill on Sunday, May 3.

Jon Lee hit 71 off just 27 balls at Emley Clarence posted 314-6 against Upperthong at the Welfare Ground – and he had eight consecutive scoring shots for six.

Patrick Moors his 69 and Ryan Clarke 60 as the Upperthong bowlers toiled, and then former Almondbury player Atif Kamran produced a spell of four for 38 to leave Upperthong well short at 185 all out.

Emley, who also made a winning start in the Conference against Denby Dale, are through to visit Thurstonland in the first round.

Thurstonland had a five-wicket win over Lepton, Josh Booth leading the way with 46 not out.

Birkby Rose Hill went through and will host top-flight Shelley after beating Cumberworth in a low-scoring preliminary-round tie.

Sykes Cup cricket. Rose Hill Birkby v Cumberworth. Cumberworth batsman, Adam Carter bowled out .

Rose Hill posted only 124, with Ali Shaban top scoring on 32, Mohammed Sohail and skipper Mushtaq Hussain adding valuable runs for the final wicket and Cumberworth conceding 30 extras!

The total proved too much, however, as Kamran Saleem, Khuram Sajjad and Waqaz Rasheed took three wickets each to dismiss the visitors for just 87.

Cartworth Moor are through to face Championship Meltham after comfortably beating Hall Bower.

Aussie signing Josh Edwards, from the Charlestown club in New South Wales, top scored with 80 for the Moor and, with backing from skipper Faisal Javed (72) they were able to post 248-6.

The Bower were sent back for 150 in reply.

Sykes Cup first-round draw: (May 3) Slaithwaite v Marsden, Golcar v Clayton West, Birkby Rose Hill v Shelley, Rastrick v Skelmanthorpe, Thurstonland v Emley, Holmfirth v Broad Oak, Hoylandswaine v Delph, Shepley v Thongsbridge, Lascelles Hall v Kirkburton, Scholes v Cawthorne, Kirkheaton v Almondbury, Denby v Moorlands, Cartworth Moor v Meltham, Elland v Honley, Almondbury Wes v Barkisland, Linthwaite v Armitage Bridge.

The Paddock Shield first round draw will take place on Wednesday night (April 22).