Acomb, last season's division four champions, looked completely in their element as they began their division three campaign with a big win at home to Bubwith.

Rob Littlewood made 62 and Leon Sacks 47 as Acomb posted a score of 197-5.

Junior player Adam Coulson then tore Bubwith apart when his 5 for 31 had the east Yorkshiremen all out for 68.

The other promoted side Malton and Old Malton, came down to earth at Clifton Alliance, where former first team skipper Duncan Naylor demonstrated the gulf between premier and third division cricket by hitting a match-winning 66no.

Fifteen-year-old Michael Linsley had earlier made an unbeaten 62 and Andrew Raines 40 as Malton took four batting points at 175-6, but Naylor then combined with John Myers 37 to take Clifton to a four wicket victory.

Former Stamford Bridge player Andy Parkinson played a major role in Heworth's one wicket win at the expense of Wilberfoss.

The 18-year-old claimed 3-32 as he and Jerry Dunnington 3-13 and James Ulliott 2-15 dismissed Wilberfoss for 114.

Parkinson then made 25 and Ulliott 22 to ward off the threat of Josh Room 4-37 as Heworth sneaked home at 116-9.

The return of David Russell to the Bolton Percy fold after a season in the Bradford League preceded by a long spell at Clifton Alliance brought immediate reward when the wicketkeeper-batsman hit 67 to help his home club win by seven wickets at New Earswick.

Earswick had been dismissed for 114 by James Newin 4-48 and Ali Rigby 4-37 before Jamie Rigby gave backing for Russell with 25.

Stillington's decline showed no sign of levelling out when they were beaten by Pickering II.

Having been relegated two seasons in succession, the Villagers were dismissed for only 70 as John Feaster took 4-15. Matthew Coulson hit back with 5 for 23 but was unable to prevent Pickering winning by three wickets.

Updated: 09:52 Monday, April 26, 2004