EMLEY Moor have thrown down the gauntlet to their rivals in Division I of the Pennine League by opening their campaign with a big 52-14 victory over Illingworth.

The home side dominated from start to finish after producing a rock-solid all-round team performance.

Moor led 30-4 at the break and then remained firmly in control in the second half.

Winger Liam Scaramuzza marked his debut with a try, while others came from Daniel Bedford (2), Karl Adamski (2), Jason Southwell, Daniel Pawson, Dave Pawson, Scott Wilkinson and Michael Lang.

Jack Dyson completed the scoring with six goals.

An under-strength Slaithwaite Saracens suffered a narrow 30-28 defeat at former Premier Division side Queensbury in their first game in Division I.

Despite lacking six first-team regulars, with several in action for Underbank in their Conference National clash, the promoted Saracens still came desperately close to pulling off a superb opening triumph.

The visitors didn’t make the greatest of starts and were 18-0 behind after 35 minutes, but just before the break Slaithwaite grabbed two tries from new signing Damian Kenchington and Lee McAfferty, both converted by Danny Garside, to put the Saracens right back in it.

And within four minutes of the restart, Graham Fryer took a superb long pass to go over and Garside again goaled to level the scores.

At that stage, Slaithwaite looked on top, but after 60 minutes there was major controversy.

Queensbury were only five metres out after the last tackle and, as the Saracens waited for the hand-over, the Bradford side tapped the ball and passed out wide to score a try that was inexplicably awarded.

The home side quickly followed up with another and Slaithwaite were 10 points behind.

However, just as in the first half, the visitors scored two tries through Gavin Dyson and David Holmes, and when Garside converted the latter it was all square again.

But on the stroke of time, a controversial penalty for ‘offside’ gave Queensbury the lead to seal their victory.

Moldgreen made an excellent start to their Division II campaign under new coaching duo Paul Reilly and Roger Simpson as they opened with a 28-6 triumph at Morley Borough.

And Newsome Panthers also started in style with a 32-10 triumph at Bank Top Harriers.

There were also opening-day celebrations for Lindley Swifts after their 40-16 Third Division victory over Victoria Rangers.

In Division IV, Underbank Rangers were able to mark their 125th anniversary celebrations with a narrow 32-20 home win over Hoyland Vikings.

Meltham All Blacks’ first game of the season at Silsden Park Rangers in Division V was very much a tale of two halves.

Two tries from Rob Lewis and a try from Ryan White gave the visitors a 14-6 interval advantage, with Gary Atkinson converting one of the tries on his debut.

But it was a totally different proposition in the second half as Meltham were punished for making numerous handling errors and squandered their lead to go down 26-14.

Adam Lodge was nominated as best back and Rob Lewis as best forward by Silsden, with Ross White taking the player’s player award.

In Division VI, Newsome A and Burley Lions shared in a 20-20 draw, but Slaithwaite A went down 34-12 at Farnley Falcons.

And Division VII side Underbank A were heavily beaten 64-14 at Wetherby Bulldogs.