WOODLANDS seamer Scott Richardson produced a devastating burst of 5-9 as Pudsey Congs lost their last six wickets for just nine runs on the opening day of the All Rounder Cricket Bradford Premier League.

Yorkshire Academy player Ryan Gibson top-scored with 27 as Congs' batting crumbled to 88 all out in a 65-run Premier Division defeat at the Britannia Ground.

Woodlands had also found run-scoring difficult when they opted to bat, plunging to 73-7 as young seamer Jamie Allen posed early problems in a nine-over spell of 3-18 Skipper Tim Jackson (43) found a willing ally in Kez Ahmed (44) as 63 runs were put on for the eighth wicket, which helped swell the total to 153, left-arm spinner Mac Chappell picking up 3-17 on debut.

Champions Pudsey St Lawrence launched their bid for a third successive title with a 98-run win over Bradford & Bingley.

Charlie Best marked his Saints debut by scoring a fine 61 against his old club, an innings which contained two sixes and six fours.

He was joined in a second-wicket stand of 105 by opener Adam Waite (45) after Bradford & Bingley exercised the right to bowl first, Yassir Abbas proving the pick with 5-39.

Bradford & Bingley never looked like challenging the home side's 210-8.

They faltered against the seam bowling of Richie Lamb (5-27) and Charlie Parker (3-39) and were bowled out for 112, with opener David Clow (42) and overseas player Noman Ali (34no) being top scorers.

The most impressive run chase was by Lightcliffe at East Bierley, with the visitors triumphing by seven wickets with six overs to spare.

Lightcliffe opener Alex Stead led the chase with an unbeaten 92, while Ian Philliskirk made 45 and new skipper Matt Baxter 40 not out. Their efforts ensured that the Wakefield Road club made the most of the impressive work of teenage left-arm spinner Daanyaal Ahmed (6-63).

Amar Rashid (40), Adal Islam (39) and Mark Gill (33) were the main contributors for new-look East Bierley.

It proved to be a tough opening day for top-flight new boys Batley and Townville.

Batley went down by seven wickets to Farsley after being dismissed for 90 in just 19.2 overs, while Townville lost by 137 runs against last season's runners-up Hanging Heaton.

Yorkshire left-armer James Wainman (5-40) and the experienced Chris Henry (5-49) did the damage against Batley, only opener Sufyan Patel (39) and No 9 Naik Zada (35) presenting a challenge to Farsley's new-ball pair.

The Rams were then guided to victory and 19 points by opener James Pickles (45no).

Townville felt the force of Hanging Heaton's long batting line-up at Bennett Lane.

Opener Nick Connolly (61) and Joe Fraser (55) hit half-centuries before Yorkshire pace bowler Josh Shaw weighed in with 44 from 30 balls as Hanging Heaton posted 257-6.

Close-season signing Callum Geldart, who missed out with the bat, took 4-32 with his off spin as Townville were dismissed for 120.

New Farnley had a 22-run win at Cleckheaton after opting to bat and posting 231, James Middlebrook (73) and Dave Cummings (61) leading the way against Andrew Deegan (4-45) and newcomer Awais Ejaz (3-30).

Cleckheaton were dismissed for 209, despite Mally Nicholson's 76, Nick Walker taking 5-51 and Dave McCallum 3-33.