CHAMPIONS Rockliffe Park were given the fright of their lives on the opening day of the season as Barningham came within a few runs of causing a major upset.

Park went through the whole of the 2014 campaign unbeaten to head Division A by a massive 85-point margin, but their batsmen were put to the sword by the home bowlers as the Stanwix lads, Rob (4-26 from 10 overs) and Tom (3-27 from 9 overs), ruled the roost, the title holders stumbling to 102 all out in 37.4 overs.

But then it was Barningham’s turn to struggle as a four-pronged Rockliffe attack returned the favour, although it looked at one stage as though the home team would just edge over the line. That was until the last five batsmen fell for 12 runs between them to leave Barney still nine runs short when the final wicket went down. Mark Swanwick was the leading wicket taker with three for 27, including in that haul the scalp of top scorer Paul Kearton for 28.

East Cowton and Lands are back in the top flight after being promoted at the end of last season, and the fixture computer threw them together on the opening day with Division B champions Cowton losing out by seven wickets to the team that finished second to them.

Cowton could only muster 115 in 33.5 overs, Martin Clark the only batsman to prosper to any degree with 5 boundaries in his 36. Mark Little, Ben Howe and Richard Eastwood each claimed three wickets in the Lands attack, and when Little (18) then joined with opener Andrew Elstob (32) in a second wicket partnership worth 56 runs the games was all but up.

It was a first day to remember for the kings of the Castle as Raby openers Matthew Dent and Simon Lee combined to rattle up a stand of 231 against Cliffe before they were parted. The pair matched each other blow for blow, Dent smacking 13 fours and two sixes in his 107, and Lee blasting 13 fours and 3 sixes in 106.

Castle eventually amassed an eye watering 274-4 and Cliffe determined batting practice was more valuable than an almost impossible run chase, Tom Adamson carrying his bat for an unbeaten 82, and Will Heathcote making a half century as their side closed out on 182 for the loss of just two wickets.

Meanwhile there were wins for Barton, for whom James Frankland starred with 52 and 3-12 in a 92-run victory at Richmond, Aldbrough St John, with Dave Mathias bagging six wickets as Brompton were beaten by 13 runs, and Middleton St George, who managed to defend a modest 91 against Haughton as Joe Binks (5-33) bowled the visitors out for 80.