Keighley opening batsmen Matthew Bottomley and Freddie Pearson put on a mammoth 177 to lay the platform for a superb first-day victory at Gomersal in Division Two.

A lack of runs had proved an Achilles heel last season for the Lawkholme Laners but they started the new campaign with a maximum-points performance.

Bottomley proved what a good signing he could be on his return from Undercliffe with 77, while youngster Pearson top-scored on 91.

A late flurry of wickets from Greg Pickles (4-16) failed to take the edge off an impressive Keighley score of 235-6, which was the highest in the division.

And Gomersal could not get close to their target as Joe Stead (3-39), Richard Robinson (3-24) and Ross Towler (3-19) – making a welcome comeback after a year out – restricted them to 117 all out.

Keighley look to build on their success at home to Windhill on Saturday, followed by a tough test at New Farnley on Sunday.

The Leeds-based newcomers made a great start to life in the Bradford League with a five-wicket win at Yeadon.

It could be an interesting week for Keighley captain Robinson. The league’s all-time leading run-scorer needs five wickets to reach the 500-mark.

Elsewhere, the two sides relegated from the top flight last season, Farsley and Undercliffe, opened their Division Two campaigns with comfortable victories.

Farsley defeated Bankfoot by nine wickets, while Undercliffe beat Idle by 105 runs.

Tosh Baker (70) and newcomer Michael Halmshaw (51) put on 114 for the third wicket as Spen Victoria defeated Hartshead Moor by 52 runs.

Amjid Tariq, Bowling Old Lane’s new recruit from Bradley Colne, took 4-11 as his new side dismissed Great Horton for 63 before romping to an eight-wicket win. Great Horton’s top scorer was Raheel Ahmed with 30.

Windhill's new boys Shoaib Iqbal (3-15) and Andy Parratt (3-33) helped bowl out Brighouse for 87 as their side opened with a five-wicket win.

Sovereign Health Care Priestley Shield winners Keighley II suffered a 74-run defeat at home to Morley II on their return to the top flight.

The hosts were skittled out for just 60 as Spenser Horsfall (5-19) and Paul Kinder (3-9) sealed Morley’s victory.

Keighley aim to make amends away to Farsley on Saturday.