REIGNING Hunters ECB Yorkshire Premier League champions Harrogate began the defence of their title with a 33-run victory in a high-scoring encounter at Moor Farm against Sheriff Hutton Bridge.

The visitors batted first and, led by Jonathan Tattersall (92) and overseas signing Kallen Bond (83), they reached 270-9, despite the efforts of Freddie Collins (4-48) and Mark Fisher (3-69).

The home side replied through Adam Fisher (96) and Anthony Gill (32) and, while they couldn't provide a victory, they did earn a share of the points.

Max Maciver had a debut to remember, taking 7-49 as Stamford Bridge beat local rivals Woodhouse Grange at Low Catton Road.

The off-spinner ran through the visitors' line-up, who were indebted to Chris Bilton (62) and Steve Burdett (40) for their total of 164.

That was in reply to the hosts 249-8, which included a half-century for another Bridge debutant Ryan McKendry (52) and 49 from Yorkshire's Will Rhodes.

Contributions from Sam Tennant (36) and Donovan Sinclair (34) further boosted the total, while Burdett (3-49) and Rich Walton (3-59) shared six wickets.

Ben Ainsley just missed out on a century.

The Yorkshire Academy opener batting through the 50 overs to finish unbeaten on 99.

Josh Sargent took 3-22 as the visitors were kept under pressure by league newcomers Easingwold, and it took a record equalling 92-run ninth-wicket partnership between Ainsley and James Logan (36no) to get the total to 197.

That effort proved to be the difference between the sides as the hosts were dismissed for 104.

The day's closest finish came at Clifton Park, where visitors Scarborough sneaked home with just one wicket and a couple of overs to spare at newly-promoted Clifton Alliance.

Greg Drewery (58) and skipper Scott Hopkinson (47) helped the hosts to reach 196 before they were bowled out, with Ben Elvidge (3-31) and Theo Smith (3-50) the main wicket-takers.

David Friend (4-49) looked to have set up victory as the visitors slumped to 94-7 but a partnership of 65 between Elvidge (67) and Jack Holt (54no) got them back in the game, with Holt going on to see his side over the line, ensuring an opening-day heartache for the home side.

York laid down an early marker with a thumping nine-wicket win at Driffield Town.

The hosts were dismissed for 122, Ben Kohler-Cadmore top scoring with 32 after they had earlier been 56-1, with Charlie Elliot (4-16) and Oliver Leedham (3-35) doing the damage with the ball.

The visitors raced to their target inside 24 overs, with Jack Leaning finishing unbeaten on 52, and Duncan Snell making 42.

Acomb opened their account with a comfortable victory at home to Hull.

The visitors were all out for 200, Tom Neal (4-31) taking the honours as Andrew Simpson (46) and Dave Barrick (48) starred with the bat.

Barrick then took three wickets to cap a fine individual performance but ended on the losing side as the hosts' batsmen, led by Jonny Rawsthorne (47) and Joe Dale (41), made light work of the chase.