SELBY got their Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League division two north season off to a flying start with a comprehensive 123-run victory over Duncombe Park.

Having been invited to bat, the hosts posted a competitive 258-4 from their 45 overs, largely thanks to a fine hundred from Matt Hoyle and 54 from Lee Wild.

As bowling conditions started to become more favourable the Selby bowlers took full advantage, skittling their visitors for only 135. Brian Leckenby hit a solid 66.

Newly-promoted Sheriff Hutton Bridge II secured a low-scoring victory over Hovingham.

After winning the toss and inserting their hosts, Michael Smith claimed a 5-18, blowing away Hovingham’s batting line up for only 85.

With the weather closing in, Bridge wasted no time in chasing down their lowly target, taking only 16.4 overs to knock off the runs, with Paul Oldfield finishing on 36 not out.

In division two south, Woodhouse Grange II fell agonisingly short of victory as they failed to remove Pocklington’s tail-enders in a drawn game.

A season opening hundred from Scott Shepherd (136no) underpinned his side’s total of 217-6.

Pocklington were forced to shut up shop after a promising start that saw a number of their batsmen get starts, with John Chaplin (43) top-scoring as they held out at 179-8.

Woodhouse Grange III were three wickets short of victory as they dominated their opening fixture against Castleford II. Woodhouse posted 223-3, with Sam Craven hitting 93, but Castleford claimed a draw at 121-7.

Rain denied Huby a likely early season victory as they posted a mammoth 351-2 declared batting first against Hovingham II, with Sam Peel smashing a fine 120 and Daniel Grainger scoring 83. They then had Hovingham wobbling at 17-2 before rain closed in.

In division four west, Oliver Riley starred with bat and ball as Thorp Arch & Boston Spa cruised to an eight-wicket win over Woodhouse Grange IV. The all-rounder first claimed 4-30 as he helped to brush aside Woodhouse Grange for 80 and he then hit 44 not out.

Selby II lost by six wickets against Whitkirk II, who chased down Selby’s 177, which included a debut 77 by Graham Phillips.

Rowntrees & Huntington II secured a low scoring eight-wicket victory over Cawood as Stefan Cockerill hit a composed 29 not out to make short work of Cawood’s 71-6.

Sheriff Hutton II’s Wayne Fawcett hit an unbeaten 55 as he guided his side to an eight-wicket win over Duncombe Park II in division four central.

After Bev Nicholson had hit 60 as Duncombe posted a total of 150-8, skipper Fawcett carried his side to victory.