Pool Mills First XI started their 2001 campaign with a five points to one losing draw at home to Ben Rhydding. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat on a pitch that had been slightly affected by overnight rain.

Mills were badly hampered by a side strain injury to opening bowler Paul Wilkinson after just two overs. Young David Wilkinson took over and it was he who made the breakthrough, having Kirby caught for 14 with the score on 17.

Unfortunately for Mills this brought to the wicket Australian Wade Kilbourne. By this time the pitch was playing beautifully and once he had played himself in the Mills bowlers suffered a brutal onslaught. His innings of 117 was quite magnificent - completely chanceless.

With W Quardir making an arm-chancing 82 Rhydding closed on 268-8. Best figures for the home side were Mark Wilkinson with three for 14 and Clive Baldwin 2-37. Mills reply started well with Bernard Thornton and Keith Wilkinson putting on 32 in good time before Keith's son Jamie forced him into a false shot and he was caught for 19. Young Australian Tony Andrews made a useful start to his Mill career, making a solid 21.

Although Thornton, with 20, and Graham Parker with 20, tried their best, the visitors put the home side under pressure and they were left hanging on for the draw. The best bowling was Kirby, 3-16, and Quardir 3-28.

Horsforth came away from their first encounter at Thackley a little disappointed with their two points but with their heads held high. Chasing a good target of 209-7 the Brownberrie Lane side finished on 192-8 in what could only be described as near darkness.

Horsforth put Thackley in to bat and they held firm for the early overs but were soon in some trouble from both Tim Linley and new ball partner Mark Thomas. Both bowlers were unlucky not to pick up early wickets due to spilled catches but continued to keep the Thackley batsmen on a tight reign.

Thomas, making his debut for Horsforth, eventually ousted both openers and was unlucky not to pick up more wickets but for some keen no ball calling by the umpire.

The introduction of Simon Saxton, another Horsforth debutant, brought more wicket success and he grabbed two wickets while Ben Scott took three but was on the end of some fierce hitting from the Thackley middle order and tail end batsmen.

Horsforth reply was soon put under pressure in the first over losing Bruce Rainford to the third ball of the innings. Despite this, new boy Ben Clarke (35), the ever consistent and dependable Nishan Gonasalkorale (48) and a well worked half century from yet another new boy Ben Williams (52), seemed to put Horsforth in the driving seat to win the game.

It was the darkness descending that left Horsforth chasing the game, but for this and Thackley's ex-Idle and Yeadon all rounder Neil McLellend, who with his five wicket return and his earlier 38 not out, proved to be the difference on the day.

Thackley 209-7 (J Trees 23. C Luxton 30, S Coonan 39, N McLelland 38, B Scott 3-65), Horsforth 192-8 (B Clarke 35, N Gonsalkarale 48, B Williams 52, N McLelland 5-33). Winning draw to Thackley.

Olicanians 120 (M Missett 63 n.o., J Hudson 22, R Horner 4-35), Colton 124-3 (N Thackray 61, R Horner 30 n.o.). Colton won by seven wickets.

Ben Rhydding 268-8 (W Kilbourne 117, W Quardir 82), Pool Mills 113-8 (B Thornton 20, T Andrews 21, G Parker 20, G Kirby 3-16, W Quardir 3-28). Winning draw to Ben Rhydding.

Alwoodley 150-8 (D Watson 64, D Taylor 28 n.o., M Beattie 5-40), Harden 152-2 (N Kettle 59, A Moulds 70 n.o.). Harden won by eight wickets.

Woodhouse 136-9 (S Golson 55, T Harrison 29, S Burbridge 6-35), Upper Wharfedale 138-5 (P Wrathmell 57, L Barrett 29). Upper Wharfedale won by five wickets.

Bolton Villas 216-5 (C Hizzett 79, B Hawksworth 94, B Clark 3-68), Addingham 141 (A Murray 20, B Clark 39, S Farrand 20 n.o., C Spivey 5-34). Bolton Villas won by 75 runs.