It is hard to imagine that in the 120-year history of the Craven & District League that there has been a more exciting opening day to the season than on Saturday. There were 16 scores in excess of 200, four centurians and a hat-trick. Also there was a one-run victory, a two-run and a four-run win.

l Last years' First Division champions, Oakworth got their season off to a flying star as they scorched to 235-5 in their overs at Cure Hill with Graham Rankin making 76 not out and Tim Walsh 76. Neil Copping was the best bowler with 3-48. The latter followed this with a top score of 63 as visitors Bingley Congs were knocked over for 94. Andy Dawson had taken 3-10 when he had to leave the field injured.

Bradley's Neil Andrews plundered his 19th league century, 104, as his side marched majestically to 227-4 over at Thornton. James Heseltine chipping in with 76 as new signing Ajmal Choudrhy took all four wickets to fall for 30 runs. The West Craven side were then brushed aside for a paltry 85. Matty Simpson taking 4-14 and Heseltine performing the hat-trick in his 5-14.

There was a high-scoring tie at Culling-worth. Visitors Glusburn's Nigel Hargreaves top scored with 63 as they rattled up 224 as Chris Welch took 5-56. The Roydwood Terrace side were dismissed for 224 as P Clark made 62 and Gareth Marshall 37 with Nick Williamson finishing with 5-62.

Haworth enjoyed a 93-run victory over newly promoted Sutton. Jamie Rowell was in sparkling form as he hit 137 not out as the Bronte side posted 250-4 in their innings. The South Craveners started brightly be making over 80 for their first wicket. However wickets fell at regular intervals and they were all out for 157. Paul Hardaker made 52 for the losers as Damian Rowell finished with 6-36 for the winners.

Last season's Division One champions, Crossflatts, got their season up and running by winning by 19 runs at Embsay. The visitors made 148 with Nigel Brett scoring 50 and Mick Brooksbank 43 as John Metcalfe claimed 5-43 and Stephen Speak 3-61. The Shires Laners were indebted to Metcalfe as he slammed 74 out of their 129. Mick Addy was the pick of the bowlers taking 7-43 off 21 overs.

Cowling got off to the worst possible start, losing by 70 runs at home to Sandy Lane. The latter made 174 with Michael Roberts score 61, Farooq Akram 35 and C Exley 32. The South Craveners replied with 104 as Paul Noble spun his way to 5-40 and Roberts took 4-24.

l Barrowford's life in the Second Division started well as they beat Glusburn II by 71 runs at Park Field, with Peter Hakin with 6-40 being their hero.

Airedale, who have recruited well during the close season, had to show their fighting spirit as they chased down a target of 200 set by visitors Long Lee. Mark Day 66 and Richard Ayrton were the main run getters for the hilltop side. John Lewis with 67 not out and M Gill 38 led the successful six-wicket victory charge.

Foulridge's P Wilson was the day's third centurian as he scored 106 of his side's 242-7 at Morton. Ten man Ingrow St John's could only muster 86-9 in reply.

Haworth Road's Will Burgess scored 104 of their 210-6 at Baildon Bottom. Visitors Cononley made 169 with Michael Beer scoring 37 as leg spinner Andy Gudgeon took 4-38.

Denholme's trip to Ingrow proved to be successful although their nerves must have been jangling at the end. They made a super 243-5 thanks to David Wear's 90 and a 65 by S Rogers. The Keighley side made a terrific effort that fell just one run short with two wickets still standing. Wayne Exley made 81 and H Williamson 41.

The two-run victory occurred at Chatburn with Embsay II being the winners. The visitors made 203-9 on the back of Nas Hussein's 93 and Nathan Robinson's 60 as veteran Rod Booth took 5-60. D Lakin with 37 top scored for the Ribble Valley side who replied with 201-8. Simon Holt was the pick of the bowlers with 4-71.

l There were some outstanding team performances in the Third Division. Carleton entertained and beat Airedale II by nine wickets - Neville Allen with 74 not out being their star.

N Jagger with 49 not out led Wilsden to a seven-wicket win at Barrowford II.

Ingrow St John's II made 263 and won by 85 runs up at Haworth WE.

Richard Hollingsworth 43 not out and Luke Scott 36 were the backbone of Oakworth's excellent seven-wicket victory at Eldwick & Gilstead. John Sharp 67 and John Drake 6-35 helped Skipton CI see off Cowling II by 50 runs at Sandylands.

Pendle Forest's new surroundings in the division proved to be fruitful as they beat ten man Gargrave by 71 runs at Fence.

l In the Fourth Division, old campaigner Brian Laycock turned back the clock as he scored 88 to lead Thornton II to 218 at Bradley II. He was ably assisted by Tim Gates who made 59 as Ian Clarkson took 6-50. The homesters could only muster 87 in reply. Riddlesden rattled up 203-9 away to Wilsden II with S Mahmood making 70 and I Kamal 61. M Jagger with 90 saw the home side to within 22 of their taking as Mick Hawkes took 5-50.

Bingley Congs II went down by three wickets at home to Ingrow II and Haworth II beat Long Lee II by six wickets at Golden View. Crossflatts II were too strong for Pendle Forest II, winning by 78 runs. Whilst Haworth Road II nipped up the hill to Sandy Lane II and came away the spoils by 55 runs.

l The highlight of the Fifth Division was a tie between Cononley II and Skipton CI II. Evergreen Mel Mason started this season where he left off the last one with a great knock of 95 as the Sandylands side made 161. Euan Scarr 36 and Freddie Osadzenko 24 helped the home side close in on the points but Chris Boyd with 5-43 saw them off for 161.

Oakworth III's youngsters are benefiting from playing senior cricket as they rattled up 253-2 in their 45 overs. Oliver Stell 44 and Mark Pennington put on 109 for the first wicket then Luke Taylor, 85, and Pennington, who finished with a superb 98 not out, scored 142 for the second wicket. Paul Carter was the pick of the bowlers with 4-1 as visitors Pendle Forest III crumpled to 43 all out.

Elsewhere Haworth WE II beat Foulridge II by one wicket at Noyna. Glusburn III saw off Sutton II by ten wickets and Gargrave II lost by four runs at home to Chatburn II.

Finally Katie Briggs took 3-28 for Denholme II, who lost by 43 runs at home to Eldwick & Gilstead II.