Switch to Collingham works well for Girling

Former Yorkshire all-rounder Dave Girling marked his switch from Follifoot to Collingham with an undefeated 69 to put the champions on the way to an opening win over Ben Rhydding.

With the aid of Brian Leigh (46), Girling steered Collingham to 189-9 and any hopes the visitors had of avenging last season’s cup final defeat disappeared as Toby Jacklin (4-46) and Ryan Sharrocks (4-20) bowled them out for 128.

Australian Mitch Farag also made an impressive start, hitting a century in Beckwithshaw’s 
252-3, John Inglis weighing in with 82. They earned their side a four-point draw, but the main plaudits went to Steeton’s John Akrigg, whose 83 took him past 10,000 runs in his two stints at the club.

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With Mike Truswell (71no) and Nick Brook (58) leading the way, last season’s runners-up, Burley, raced to 233-9 but that wasn’t enough to prevent newly-promoted Pool arriving back in the top flight with a bang.

Adam Morgan (50), Steve Simpson (49) gave them the perfect start and 18-year-old Josh Inglis, back from a three-year stint in Australia, clinched things with an impressive 81.

There was no such joy for Harden, the other promoted side, who were skittled out for 48 in reply to Guiseley’s 194-3 in which Tallan Wright hit an unbeaten 71 on debut.

Andrew Rhodes (5-14) starred as Otley crushed Kirkstall by seven wickets after bowling them out for 60, while Akash Fotedar’s debut 6-41 proved in vain because Follifoot were dismissed for 71 in reply to Bilton’s 127, Sajad Ali (4-31) and Richard Spittlehouse (4-9) doing the damage.

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Having gone from champions to relegated in a season, Thackley gave warning they don’t intend to stay long in Division Two.

An unbeaten 76 from Yasser Ali helped them to 150 despite Umer Yaqoob including a hat-trick in his 6-25. But Bardsey had no answer to Nasser Jamal (6-27) and crashed out for 65.

The other relegated side, Adel, also started well, Chris Smith (63) and Nick Smith (5-30) starring as they beat Bolton Villas by 57 runs.

Andrew Doidge (64) and Joe Loorham (65) inspired Rawdon to a crushing 150-run win over newly-promoted Colton.

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