MIKE Stead continued where he left off for Unity A as last season's Bradford League Division Two champions began their top-flight campaign with victory at Hermits A.

Stead did not lose a match last season and, although it will be harder in Division One, he was impressive as Unity came from behind to pip Hermits.

The home team led three times as Richard Aitken beat Neil Harris and Ian Gomersall in straight games, while Matthew Shaw also defeated Gomersall.

Unity pulled level with two wins for Stead, and both Harris and Gomersall overcame Lewis Palmer.

In the last singles, Stead rose to the occasion as he beat Aitken 3-0 and, partnered by Gomersall, they took the points against Aitken and Shaw, winning the doubles 11-7 in the fifth.

Embassy Police and Yeadon have joined forces and have a four-team club playing as Embassy Yeadon, and there were mixed fortunes for the C and D teams in Division Two.

They were both involved in close contests, with Embassy Yeadon C pipped at the post at Hermits C, despite a treble from Ian Marshall.

Paul McKrieth and Sarfraz Khan won two each for Hermits and Keith Powell took a vital singles.

McKrieth and Powell secured the points for Hermits, winning the doubles 3-2.

Embassy Yeadon D had better fortunes in another tight affair against Highdale B.

Yeadon came from 2-0 and 3-2 down to lead 5-4 as Peter Clarkson won three and Mark Griffin took two.

James Foster won two for Highdale, with Phil Mann and Mike Kosmowsky adding one each.

Clarkson and Rod Robertson snatched victory for Embassy Yeadon as they pipped Foster and Mann 13-11 in the decider.

Results – Division One: Hermits A 4 Unity A 6. Division Two: Embassy Yeadon D 6 Highdale B 4, Hermits B 9 Pudsey B 1, Hermits C 6 Embassy Yeadon C 4, Hermits D 0 Baildon A 10, Hermits E 3 Fastbats 7. Division Three: Baildon B 9 Baildon C 1, Thornbury A 3 Hermits F 7. Division Four: Baildon D 10 Hermits K 0 Hermits I 5 Unity C 5.