New signing Adam Morgan was the star of the show as Thackley kicked off the new Aire-Wharfe League campaign with an impressive win over one of last season’s Division One title contenders Otley.

The 20-year-old Leeds University student hit 81 and shared a second-wicket partnership of 103 with skipper Leon Harber (68).

Another of Thackley’s debutants, Rishabh Jain, who played his cricket at Riddlesden last year, hit 43 as they set a target of 230-7, with four of the wickets falling to Andrew Rhodes.

But it was the tried and tested bowling of Mahir Ali and Nasser Jamal, who between them took 127 wickets last season, that restricted Otley to just 154, of which Matthew O’Grady hit 68 and John Brook 34.

Burley skipper Mark Harrison had predicted that the defence of their title would be hard because so many clubs have strengthened this time round and that proved true when they were only able to take two points off Adel, a team they thrashed at this stage last year.

Chasing Adel’s 229-6, Burley could only manage 178-6 with Harrison top scoring on 48.

After seeing Beckwith-shaw’s Phil Critchley hit a century that included 18 fours and a six in his side’s 234-8, Green Lane were content to hang on for two points.

Duncan Stow started the season with 65 but Rawdon were dismissed for 147, a total newly-promoted Bilton passed with seven wickets in hand, while Guiseley fell victim by the same margin at Collingham.

In Division Two, Australian Shaun McNamara made an instant impact at Steeton, hitting an unbeaten 156 off the Calverley attack.

He and Mark Taylor (63) put on 141 in the home side’s 286-5 but they had to make do with four points because the visitors put up a spirited response, led by Kankanamge Rajarthova (103) and new skipper Gareth Lee (53no).

Harden’s Phil Leng, who led the division’s bowling averages last year, started the new season with a bang, producing a ten-over spell of 9-23 as Tong Park Esholt were skittled out for 54 in reply to the visitors’ 219-6 that included 75 from Richard Wear and a half century from James Roper.

Jason Wright helped Burley to the championship last season and now newly-promoted Ben Rhydding hope he can secure their status in the second tier.

He made a great start, taking 4-45 as Olicanian were bowled out for 159 then hitting 60 on the way to a four-wicket win.

Matt Love (81) and Nick Thornton (31no) helped Menston hang on for a point at North Leeds but, despite 83 from Umer Yaqoob and 6-82 from Sam Lawrence, Bolton Villas lost by three wickets at Pool.

Ilkley are determined to go at least one better than their third place in the last two seasons in Division Three and made a good start.

Rory Kroon (76), Mick Cockcroft (76) and Andrew Wheeler (74no) saw them to 244-7, although Hall Park managed to bat out their overs to take a point.

Rob Groves (63) and Andrew Robinson (4-32) starred as Horsforth beat last season’s wooden spoonists Alwoodley by seven wickets, while 71 from Steve Carling and 69 not out from Keir Nelson helped Skipton take four points against Woodhouse.

Addingham picked up a point at Illingworth mainly thanks to the determination of Neil Freeman (35no) and Richard Hey (47no) but Silsden suffered an early setback, losing by 119 runs at Colton despite a five-wicket haul from Luke Taylor.