STUART DIXON got the Keighley Cup 2000 off to a blazing start with a superb century for Bingley Congs -- the highest score on the opening round of the competition.

Dixon is better known for his prowess on the rugby field. He is a former Bradford & Bingley player who now plays with Wakefield, but his debut century for Congs couldn't have come at a better time.

It helped the Bradford Central League first division club secure a comfortable victory over second division Ingrow.

The Keighley side were given no warning of what was waiting for them as Dixon came in at No7 and blasted 100 off 57 balls including 11 fours and five sixes. His seventh wicket partnership with James Silley produced 81 runs in 28 minutes. Wicket keeper Peter Schofield took three catches and a stumping on his first team debut.

Match of the day was a high scoring thriller at Denholme where the home side set Oakworth a target of 224-9 in their 45 overs. Opener Rob Taylor set the scene with a knock of 70 and was backed up by Andy Hodgson with 85.

Things looked bleak for Oakworth when they lost their first wicket with just one run on the board and they were still struggling at 58-4 when Adam Fradley and Mick Scarborough came together to forge a match-winning fifth wicket partnership of 169. Fradley was unbeaten on 73 and Scarborough was not out on 77 when they reached victory with just over four overs to spare.

Long Lee showed no mercy to the Crossflatts bowlers as they raced to a total of 322-6 with Jan Haider top scoring on 79 and half centuries from Paul Stowell and J Wilkinson. Flatts struggled in the heat against accurate bowling and were dismissed for 58.

Steeton also enjoyed a comfortable victory over Keighley Tech, declaring on 253-5 after just 32 overs with opener Andy Howarth top scoring on 69 and Neil Spragg adding 51. Tech reached 119 in reply with Steve Adams leading the way on 39.

Sutton paid the price for fielding a nine-man team against Haworth with Damian Rowell scoring 62 as the home side reached 223. Sutton fought gamely in reply with Craig Holdsworth leading the way on 49. Justin Holdsworth put up a solid rearguard action and was undefeated on 38 when he ran out of partners.

Andy Bairstow (59) and John Roper (35) built the foundation for Harden's six-wicket victory over Cross Roads. The home side had earlier set a target of 132-7 as they struggled against a tight Harden attack.

A late partnership between Andy Pullen and John Akrigg took a heavy toll on the Airedale bowlers as Silsden set a target of 220-6. Pullen was 73 not out and Akrigg scored 33 in a flurry of runs. After losing five wickets for 46 runs Airedale were in trouble and Andy Gill's 28 not out gave the score some respectability but they were still 101 runs short.

Andrew Whitehead raced to 81 and Ian Dyson scored 58 as Oxenhope set Wilsden a target of 216-9. The home team struggled against tight Oxenhope bowlers and were dismissed for 72 in 29.1 overs.

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