SHERIFF Hutton Bridge made a winning start to the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League premier division campaign.

SHB beat visitors Stamford Bridge by eight wickets to launch their bid in the top six and a place in next season's new-look ECB Premier Yorkshire League North.

Dominic Rhodes made 80 in a total of 183-7 for the visitors, which SHB chased down easily thanks to Adam Fisher (74no) and Robert Pinder (68no).

Reigning champions Woodhouse Grange recovered from 10-2 at home to Hull Zingari thanks to a stand of 98 between Christopher Bilton (72) and Tom Young (49).

Skipper Steve Burdett gave the innings late impetus with 33 from 16 balls as his side closed on 223-7.

Despite opener Jack Storey's 61, the visitors were never in a position to chase down their target. David Suddaby and Nick Hadfield both picked up four wickets as Zingari were dismissed for 170.

Last year’s runners-up Easingwold got the better of a draw at Beverley Town, where Mark Haines (94) narrowly missed out on a century as the visitors made 206-9.

The home side, led by Jon Vodden (54no) and Ollie Grantham (43), got within 19 runs of victory, while Stephen Piercy (3-36) took three of the seven wickets to fall.

Newcomers Scarborough provided early evidence they will be a force to be reckoned with by beating Studley Royal by 136 runs.

Darren Harland made an unbeaten 112 and former Yorkshire Academy skipper Ryan Gibson made 46 on his debut as they posted 243-4. Dan Craven replied with 42, but the hosts could only manage 107 in reply.

There was a century for Joe Ashdown (107no), who shared stands of 123 with Kevin Bradley (83) and 133 with John Gilham (70no) as Clifton Alliance made the day's highest total, 278-3, at Dunnington before David Friend (6-40) bowled the visitors to victory by 177 runs.

Heworth, last year’s division one champions, made a winning start at home to York II.

Despite four wickets each for Matthew Hodsdon (4-90) and Mike Mortimer (4-35), the home side posted an imposing 268-9. Oliver Sherwood top-scored with 87, sharing a 99-run partnership with Salman Syed (47).

Syed then added a further 61 with Tom Neal (39).

In reply, only Danny Murty (41) and Jonny Moxon (35) managed double figures, Syed taking 4-25 and Richard Walton 4-30 as the visitors lost their last four wickets for three runs.

Acomb, who finished as runners-up to Heworth, began with a visit from Fenner and made a solid start to the campaign.

Joe Dale (69no), Harry Booth (40) and Aidan Burton (38) all contributed as the home side chased down 181 to win by five wickets.

William Parker (76) batted well, but Andrew Brewster (4-55) and Mark Bell (3-37) kept the visitors in check.