HOVINGHAM will start their Ryedale Beckett League division one campaign this week as favourites after the opening round of fixtures threw up a few surprises.

Settrington beat Kirkbymoorside by eight runs, while promoted Malton got their campaign off to a winning start against Harome.

The Harome bowlers did well early on but Wayne Dawson then unleashed an array of strokes at James Greenlay and Nick Thornicroft.

Harome started their reply poorly, losing veteran Dave Greenlay early before Thornicroft and Josh Greenlay added 60, albeit taking their time. Mike Linsey returned the match’s best figures of 4-20 to set up the win. Burythorpe, the nearly men of division two last year, began this season by hammering a depleted Westow.

Matt Beckett hit 46, including his first six in 15 seasons, and Adam Milner smashed a number of balls into the adjacent horse field.

Westow had no response to the bowling of Tid Wall, Dave Quick and Des Healey and were all gone for 34.

Great Habton, looking to bounce back from relegation, saw off Whitwell by 34 runs.

Alex Ibbotson had a good evening - to Nick Salisbury’s chagrin.

Ibbotson, amid some big hitting, pulled one shot majestically through Salisbury’s car windscreen.

He then bowled Salisbury in the first ball of Whitwell’s innings.

Ryedale were handed a walkover by Nawton Grange, who are deducted two points as a consequence.

The highest score and best bowling analysis in division one each month will receive a prize from sponsor The Black Swan, Kirkbymoorside.