Meltham All Blacks have immediately thrown down the gauntlet in their bid for Pennine League Division IV West glory with an impressive 22-6 home triumph over much-improved King Cross Park.

Playing uphill in the first half, Meltham initially struggled to get out of their own half, with good defence required to keep the visitors at bay.

But the All Blacks held out and took the lead when captain Steve Farrell stretched out to put the ball down and brother Andy Farrell added the conversion.

And it was no surprise when Meltham extended their lead when Steve Farrell crossed for his second converted score to make it 12-0.

That looked as if it would be the end of the first-half scoring, but an 80m King Cross interception score cut the hosts lead to six at the break.

The second half was nearly all Meltham, although they struggled to get past some dogged defence until a try from debutant Haydon Sutcliffe calmed the nerves, and a further converted try by Nathan Robinson sealed the game.

The Meltham man-of-the-match in a game sponsored by Mick Abbott was Ben Moorhouse.

There was also an eye-catching start to the season for newly-promoted First Division side Underbank Rangers, who made their intentions clear from the start with a big 48-18 win at Hunslet Club Parkside.

Fellow Division I side St Joseph’s were another to make a winning start, although they were pushed all the way in winning 30-28 at home to Victoria Rangers.

But Lindley Swifts opened with an 18-8 home defeat to Boothtown Terriers, while Division III West side Newsome Panthers were beaten 24-14 at Brighouse Rangers.

Premier Division: Doncaster Toll Bar 42 West Bowling 12, Fryston Warriors postponed Queens.

Championship Division: King Cross Park post Batley Boys, Odsal Sedbergh 20 Brotherton Bulldogs 12, Stainland Stags 28 New Earswick All Blacks 24, West Leeds 32 Allerton Bywater 28.

Division I: Hunslet Club Parkside 18 Underbank Rangers 48, Lindley Swifts 8 Boothtown Terriers 18, Ossett Trinity post Dalton, St Joseph’s 30 Victoria Rangers 28.

Division II: Greetland All Rounders 10 Selby Warriors 18, Stanningley 26 West Craven Warriors 34, Woodhouse Warriors 22 CK Vikings 26, Wyke 34 Cutsyke Raiders 34.

Division III East: Farnley Falcons 30 Crofton Cougars 0, Hanging Heaton 20 Crigglestone All Blacks 28, Kinsley Raiders 23 Wakefield City 28, Methley Royals 52 Dearne Valley Bulldogs 22, Whinmoor Warriors 28 Halton Moor Storm 24.

Division III West: Brighouse Rangers 24 Newsome Panthers 12, Hollinwood 12 Clayton 60, Victoria Rangers A post Emley Moor, West Bowling A 72 Worth Village 4.

Division IV East: Allerton Bywater A post Ryhill Hammers, Beeston Broncos 30 Dewsbury Moor 44, East Leeds post Drighlington, Swillington 66 Leeds Underdogs 10, Wortley Dragons post Doncaster Toll Bar A.

Division IV West: Birkenshaw 42 Wyke A 24, Boothtown Terriers A post Silsden, Cowling Harlequins 4 Higginshaw 34, Meltham All Blacks 22 King Cross Park A 6.