ON the opening day of the Bradford Cricket League season an understrength Yeadon managed to hang on for a point against Undercliffe.

With their overseas player Indian Laxmi Shukla not yet arrived and opening bowler Chris Henry on his travels Yeadon were hard pressed for opening bowlers and the retired John Roper was pressed into action.

He bowled 19 overs taking two for 54 as Undercliffe posted a massive 253 for four on a bitterly cold day.

New signing Mark Gill gave Undercliffe a good start with a knock of 57 before being caught by James Todd off the bowling of newcomer Harvey Anderson.

Zube Raje (24) and Toby Drummond (30) then made useful contributions before Andy Walker came in to make an unbeaten 68 and skipper Martin Kelleway 58.

Another of Yeadon's new signings James Postill from the York League opened the bowling with Roper and had nought for 63 off 12 overs.

Harvey Anderson took one for 67 off 13 and Tony Gilks, who struggled with arthritis in his knees last season, looked to be struggling again with one for 62 off just six overs as the Undercliffe batsmen were in full flow.

All credit to Yeadon though for they dug in and got themselves a point after being 65 for three.

Young James Todd was promoted to open the batting but was unfortunate to get a bad start being bowled without scoring.

Anderson made a solid 37 as the other opener while the returning Gulsharez Ahmed made 27, Leeds University student Jamie Kennaway a more than useful 47 and the returning Jon Carey 32 not out as Yeadon battled for a share of the spoils. This they gained finishing on 163 for six.

Yeadon seconds got off to a good start rubbing off Brighouse's 107-9 with just one wicket down.

Steve Gilks and Nick Darfield bagged four wickets each.

Yeadon then batted well and gained an easy win thanks in the main to a superb unbeaten 68 from Darren Machell.

On Saturday Yeadon will come up against former skipper Craig Thornton when they visit Baildon.

Team: G Soames, H Anderson, D Russell, J Postill, G Ahmed, J Todd, A Gilks, J Kennaway, J Roper, J Carey, L Shukla.

Yeadon Seconds (home to Bowling Old Lane): A Pickering, A McInnis, D Smith, R Wood, L Wood, N Darfield, J Campbell, S Gilks, D Machell, R Darfield, A Wray, D Summerscales. On Sunday they entertain Windhill. Matches start at 1.30 pm.