CRAVEN League Division One champions Oakworth suffered a nine-wicket hammering at Embsay as their title defence got off to a bad start.

The Cure Hill side found themselves 41-5 and 69-6 before Brannan Lawn (52) joined Jack Davison (32) took the score to 145. The innings quickly closed after that with the total on 154, with Scott Robinson (4-11) and Haroon Ali (3-49) doing most damage.

The Shires Laners' reply was stunning as Josh Robinson (85no) and Duncan Ward (41no) put on 126 for the second wicket to steer their side home in 29.3 overs.

Ingrow St John’s rattled up 234-8 at Bingley Congs, with Sarum Qureshi hitting 77 and Nadeem Safdar 53 as Matt Roberts took 3-59.

In reply, new Kiwi recruit Sam Porter scored a superb 118-ball 109no and Neil Copping a 28-ball 50 to lead Congs to a four-wicket victory. For the losers Wasim Hussain took 4-75.

Haworth beat Foulridge by 53 runs at home. The Bronte side made 203-8, with Harry Reynoldson making 42no and Jamie and Damian Rowell 35 each.

The Noyna side ran out of overs in reply, with the score on 150-9. John Lickess scored 48no as Steve Bell claimed 5-31.

Newly-promoted Denholme quickly found their feet as they saw off host Crossflatts by 65 runs. Adam Taylor top-scored with 30 as the visitors posted 168. In reply, Flatts slumped to 103 all out, with Dom Bennett making 33 as Luke Pickles took 5-23.

Sutton won their South Craven derby at Cowling by 46 runs. The Royd Hill side scored a moderate 142 after being 133-4 at one time. Richard Walker hit 41 and Sam Solley 34 before Sajid Shafait (5-34) and Qamar Zaman (4-42) brought about a collapse. The Coliseum side never got to grips with Justin Holdsworth, who finished with 7-23 and closed on 96.

Haworth Road, after all their trials and tribulations following the January floods, had their ground ready for play against Riddlesden.

The Baildon Bottom side rattled up 179 as Naveed Hussain and Mohammad Qadeer took three wickets apiece. The Grange Road side were restricted to 112 in their reply, with Jamie Fullwood top-scoring with 35 as Mansha Khan (4-19) and Sikandar Mehmood (3-15) did most of the damage with the ball.