DEFENDING Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League North champions Sheriff Hutton Bridge slumped to an opening day defeat at Dunnington.

Led by Dave Brent (5-14), Dunnington dismissed Bridge for just 86 at Common Lane and the hosts, who won a curtailed competition last season, look to have carried over their form, winning by six wickets.

Tommy Hudson (37) was one of only two visiting batsmen to reach double figures. Jonathan Anderson took 3-16 as Bridge were bowled out inside 33 overs.

Ben Harrison (3-36) took three wickets in reply but, despite slipping to 63-4, the hosts eased to a comfortable victory.

Stamford Bridge maintained their record of never having lost an opening-day match in Yorkshire Premier League North.

They triumphed at home to Clifton Alliance by 41 runs.

A half-century from debutant Jack Timby (50) and 32 from Leeds/Bradford UCCE colleague James Keast helped the hosts reach 168 in tricky batting conditions.

Scott Hopkinson marked his return to Alliance colours in the competition with 3-34, while Thomas Brown (3-46) also took three wickets.

Visiting opener Andrew Simpson scored 57 before becoming one of three wickets for Keast (3-20).

The bowling honours, however, went to Fletcher Coutts. The New Zealander marked his first appearance with 5-33.

Acomb saw off fellow promoted side Driffield Town at The Green by four wickets, ending a run of 15 Premier League games without a win.

William Wade (60) and his captain Matthew Dale (80) put on 142 for the first wicket after the home side had been set 224 to win.

Jamie Greavson (4-57) picked up both openers’ wickets but an unbeaten half-century from Darcy O’Connor (52no) saw his side home. The former overseas signing had earlier taken three wickets when the visitors batted.

Sam Drury (69) marked his return for Town with 69 while both Owen Goldsworthy and visiting skipper Grant Halder made 33.

Woodhouse Grange beat York by five wickets despite a stand of 116 between Duncan Snell (76) and Guy Darwin (85).

The hosts were unable to capitalise on the start as visiting skipper James Finch (4-66) sparked his side to a 245-9 finish.

Harry Gamble (50) and Christopher Bilton (64) both made half-centuries for the visitors before an unbroken sixth-wicket stand of 63 between Tom Young (39no) and his captain brought victory with a couple of overs to spare.

An unbeaten century from opener Henry Thompson (137no) failed to prevent Harrogate losing to Castleford by 76 runs at St George’s Road.

Liam Hyde (74) and recent signing Chesney Hughes (94) shared 138 opening stand. Hughes added a further 74 for the third wicket with former Derbyshire CCC team-mate David Wainwright (43).

Connor Hyde also made 31 as the visitors scored a YPLN club record 317-9, the wickets shared equally between Dominic Bradburne (3-66), Ishan Abeysekara (3-110) and Cooper Smith (3-41).

In reply, both Jordan Sleightholme (28) and Isaac Light (27) made starts but six wickets from Jack Young (6-77) kept the visitors on top.

Scarborough beat Yorkshire Academy in YPLN for the very first time with a nine-wicket win at Weetwood after dismissing their opponents for just 97.

Former Yorkshire seamer James Wainman took two early wickets, but the real damage was done by Ben Elvidge, who took 4-13.

Pre-season recruit Cian Dickinson (57no) made an immediate impression as the visitors reached their target with more than 23 overs to spare.