There was a real surprise for last season’s Dales Council League Division A champions Leeds Sikh, who came down to earth with a bump at newly-promoted Pudsey Congs A on the opening day of the season.

Despite the recent harsh weather, the new campaign started on time in conditions more akin to a balmy mid-summer’s day than a typical April Saturday afternoon.

But the title-holders could not take advantage as the home side reached 126-9 (Pritpal Saggu 6-49).

Despite this modest total, in reply Sikhs were dismissed for just 69, with Steve Bedford (4-14) and Saquib Mehmood (4-21) proving the match-winners for Pudsey.

In complete contrast to the champions’ fortunes, last year’s runners-up New Wortley started in whirlwind fashion at Hepworth & Idle.

They battered an amazing 375-4, with opening pair Farhan Saeed (175) and Safiulla Khan (123) racing to an opening partnership of 271.

In reply Anthony Heaton hit a defiant 94 in the home side’s total of 167.

Baildon (108-3, Brad Hinchcliffe 60) claimed maximum points with a seven-wicket win over visitors Adel (107).

The meeting of two other promoted teams went the way of visitors Cookridge (199-5, Colin Oates 82no), who beat Farnley Hill (198-9, Ryan Grimes 97).

Shipley Providence (126) had an exciting encounter at home to Crompark (122), defeating their visitors by just four runs.

Bowlers were well on top at Saville Stars, where the home side were dismissed for just 94 (Adnan Mahmood 6-20), but the target was 15 runs too many for Halifax Direct. The visitors were put out for just 79, with Nazam Arif returning 6-25 for the Dewsbury-based side. In Division B, visitors Hepworth & Idle B recovered from a precarious 7-4 to reach the dizzy heights of 148-7 (Gary Orrell 79). Farsley were skittled for 89 in response, with Orrell completing a fine personal performance by taking 4-10.

Last season’s Division C champions Tong Park Esholt (76-7, David Robinson 5-24) completed a three-wicket win on their visit to Crompark B (72), while another newly-promoted team, Baildon B (180 Winston Charles 53), recorded a 19-run success at Drighlington/ Whitehall (161).

In the Inter-Divisional game, new boys Bradford Moor (105-1, Irfan Sadiq 50no) registered a nine-wicket triumph over Pudsey Congs B (101, Owais Shah 5-3).