NATHAN Goldthorp took the opening Aire-Wharfe League game by the scruff of the neck and put Otley on the way to a decisive win at Ilkley.

With Ian Chaplin (37) leading the way, Ilkley were building a steady score at 115-4 but then Goldthorp produced a deadly spell of 5-1 and the home side crashed out for 123.

Jonathan Hughes, in his first match since returning to Otley, hit 37 against his former club and put on a century with fellow opener Ben Morley (67) as Otley cruised to an eight-wicket win in 18.2 overs.

Having been runners-up to Beckwithshaw for the last two seasons, Otley will have also noted keenly the match at Horsforth, where the defending champions were soundly beaten.

Ben Heritage (46) gave Horsforth a solid start, and Bailey Worcester (74), Ryan Sharrocks (57) and Sajad Ali (59) carried it on in a formidable 351-7.

Beckwithshaw’s new skipper Ross Sedgley responded with a half-century but Sharrocks had the last word with a 5-52 spell that helped to restrict the visitors to 228-5.

An unbeaten half-century stand between Harry Nicholson (56no) and Callum Murgatroyd (30no) saw Rawdon to 214-7, and Marcus Berryman (4-24) ensured Guiseley had no chance of matching them with a hat-trick when the visitors were on 25.

George Powell weighed in with 3-19 to clinch a 71-run win.

Two new overseas signings made impressive debuts, James Rosewarne hitting 78 and taking 7-35 as Pool overcame North Leeds, while Joshua Challenger picked up 5-29 to tumble Follifoot for 68 and set up a six-wicket win for Burley.

Saltaire’s first match in Division Two reached a thrilling climax at Ben Rhydding.

Mussawar Shah (36) top-scored in Saltaire’s 155, and at 151-8 the hosts looked set to edge home, only to lose their last two wickets for the addition of only three runs.

Olicanian, who were also promoted last season, made an equally impressive start with a crushing win over Hall Park.

Tom Smallwood (53) starred in their 164-8 before Kiwi James Gifford took 5-20 to skittle Park for 97.

William Forster (45) and Freddie Pearson (52) put on 89 for Steeton’s second wicket but a blistering 5-8 from Muhammad Z Khan meant that the home side collapse from 134-3 to 139 all out.

Tong Park Esholt didn’t find batting much easier but Gareth Wilkinson (56no) and Andy Oliver (30no) saw them home.

Addingham defended a modest 127 total, Alex Hentschke and Jack DeAth each picking up three cheap wickets as Collingham, with only ten fit batsmen, were restricted to 69.

Despite the efforts of Nav Panesar (62) and No 9 Sam Gascoyne (55no), Calverley fell 54 runs short of Colton’s 263-7.

Ben Holderness hit an unbeaten 101 in Skipton’s first match in Division Three following relegation but Chris Spivey’s 5-42 restricted their total to 193.

With Azhar Mahmood making 45 in the reply, Green Lane clinched victory by three wickets.

There was also a century from Harden’s Josh Brooksbank, including six sixes, but it still wasn’t enough to match New Rover’s 317-4, with the home side winning by 93 runs.

Paul Naylor (53) was the main contributor to Thackley’s 173-9 but Bardsey cruised home by seven wickets.

Bolton Villas' match against Alwoodley was cancelled because the outfield was still recovering from the wet spring.