Solid start for champions

From the archive, first published Tuesday 24th Apr 2007.

Rodley opened the defence of their Dales Council League title with a comfortable 95-run Division A win over Castlehill.

Mark Hobson struck 59 in Rodley's 189 and their opponents could only muster 94 in reply.

Paul Slater hammered 140 and he was well supported by Paul Ashton (82) as an opening stand of 203 led to a Pudsey Congs total of 273 for eight against Adel.

Joe McGowan picked up six for 43 in that total and team-mate Martin Knowles made 57 in Adel's response of 213 for seven.

Danny Atkinson claimed six for 28 as Baildon bowled out Leeds Sikh for 153 but Hari Seehra (5-45) then helped dismiss the opposition for 125.

Yasir Aftab (90) and Steve Thompson (69) propelled Crompark to 245 for five and New Farnley then collapsed to 53 all out.

Robert Child clubbed an unbeaten 123 for Meanwood as they made 271 for five in Division B against New Wortley, who struggled to 121 for six in reply.

Keith Marsden took six for 33 for Pudsey St Lawrence but finished on the losing side as Baildon B edged a 25-run verdict after making just 131 themselves.

Promoted Farsley were guided to 213 by Komal Singh (52) and Norman Mirza's five for 36 then restricted Farnley Hill to 94 for eight.

Reformed Drighlington's league debut ended with a four-wicket win over Pudsey St Lawrence B in Division C, Ryan Woods making an unbeaten 62.

Richard Hassell made 55 as Wibsey Park Chapel logged a five-wicket win over Mount B.

And Nahman Tariq's five for 16 helped Shipley Providence to a nine-wicket win after dismissing Cookridge for 65.