THE two relegated sides met on the opening day in Division B with Rawdon defeating Burley by four wickets.

Kenrick Marshall bagged a superb 6-40 off 25 overs as Burley were restricted to 128-9 with only opener Chris Wheeler making any real impression with a knock of 43.

Marshall then hit a stunning 34 off 14 balls to give his side victory. Jamie Davey also made a good contribution with a knock of 31 not out.

Harden and Thackley both suffered defeats after being promoted last season.

Harden, in their third season in the league, were humbled for 91 by a rampant Ilkley side for whom Richard Simpson took a magnificent 6-28 off 14 overs and Anthony Giles 3-38 off nine overs. Darren Jayes also chipped in with 1-7 off five overs.

Ilkley then knocked off the runs for the loss of three wickets with openers Simon Stolcman (31) and Jonno Hughes (41) having a good start.

Thackley lost by six wickets to visitors Silsden after making 161 all out. This was despite a mid-order knock of 50 not out from Charlie Trees but he had little support. Only Andrew Luxton with 39 from the number three spot made a solid contribution.

Andrew Pullen bowled well for Silsden taking f 4-32 while D Crook bowled steadily for 3-51 off 18.4 overs.

Silsden made a poor start losing both openers with only four runs on the board but then New Zealander Darren Crook restored the balance with a fine 62.

There was solid support from Ian Spragg with 36, L Bilbrough with 32 not out and Andrew Pullen with 23 not out.

Pool were grateful for the rain with Kirkstall just 13 runs adrift of their target and having four wickets and 27 overs in hand.

Pool had been dismissed for 118 with only David Murphy (50) and Mark McEneaney (23) in double figures.

They struggled against the bowling of M Hodgeson who took 4-14 off nine overs.

McEneaney hit back with 3-50 off 14 overs but it looked as if Kirkstall would have got the win if the weather had not intervened.

Knaresborough were relieved to see the rain as they were reeling at 38-9 chasing Calverley's 159.

Jonathan Corcoran and D Skaith had each taken three wickets as Calverley forged their score. Knaresborough however had no answer to the bowling of J Hughes who claimed 5-12 off 14 majestic overs with only Skaith reaching double figures with 18.

Tong Park made a more than useful 209-7 against Bardsey with half-centuries from middle order men Nick Murden and Brendan Ryan.

Bardsey's overseas player South African Casey du Plooy took 3-68 off 18 overs.

Bardsey opener D Watson hit 51 to set his side on the way but he lacked support as the varied Tong Park attack shared out the wickets and Bardsey slumped to 124-7 with Tong Park taking five points.