DRAKES League new boys Hoylandswaine followed the example of their first team and got away to a great start in the Second XI competition with a comfortable win over Hall Bower .

Clark Pickles became the first century-maker of the new season as he and Andy Tyas put on 193 for the first wicket.

Pickles hit 16 fours and one six in his 110, while Tyas (79) cracked 10 fours and three sixes to steer Swaine to 242-3. Sean Hellawell replied with 68 for the visitors, who settled for a point at 195-7.

Barkisland won the battle of the two promoted Conference sides from last season, after bowling Marsden out for 118, Daniel Sykes taking three for 21. Shane Longmoor replied with five for 35 for the visitors, but Barkisland got home with four wickets in hand.

Over at Micklehurst, home opener Tim Wood smashed seven sixes in his 81 which helped lead the home team to a seven-wicket win over Golcar, while last year’s champions Skelmanthorpe made light work of beating Shepley, Stuart Hartill’s unbeaten 61 the pick of the batsmen.

Honley had an even easier win, as they blazed their way to a 10-wicket success over Elland at Hullen Edge, Simon England (72no) and Jimmy Green (89no) knocking 170 without being parted in just 32 overs. Earlier Rob Mills had claimed four for 17 as Elland were held at 169-8, Jez Firth’s 39 the top mark.

Scholes’ Mark Wimpenny was dismissed just seven short of a ton as the Chapelgaters totalled 242-7, brother Richard (Wimpenny) weighing in with 59.

Richard also made his mark with the ball, taking four for 11 from 10 overs, while Joe Hinchliffe matched him with four for 17 as their opponents were shot out for 38 – nobody reaching double figures!

Josh Ardron and Gary Eastwood made 48 apiece as Kirkburton beat Slaithwaite, Oliver Davidson having taken four for 51 as the visitors made 189-7, John Hey hitting 63, while Meltham coasted to a nine-wicket win over promoted Kirkheaton, who were bowled out for 72, Richard Holroyd taking five for 22.

There was a fine knock from 13-year-old Timmy Taylor, who scored a maiden unbeaten 50 as Lascelles Hall beat Linthwaite by eight wickets, while Delph and Dobcross won by nine wickets against Shelley.

Paul Metcalfe made a telling contribution on his first appearance for Lepton Highlanders, scoring 51 of his side’s 144 total, before ripping through Emley Clarence with five for 26, and bagging two catches!

Another man to impress on his debut for a new club was Martin Hallas, who made 37 with the bat for Armitage Bridge, putting on 81 with Corey Bullock (57) for the fifth wicket, and then shot through Broad Oak, with the day’s best bowling figures of six for 25 from 11 overs.