Last season’s division champions have not brought their past form into this season and batting first were quickly reduced to 8 for 3 by the Bridge opening bowlers. Richard Musgrave (44) and James Postill (27) worked hard to establish a total but with a good all round effort in the field Bridge reduced Clifton to 139 all out, Pete Aconley (3-45) and Dave Chaplin (3-16) the main wicket takers.

Being the fielding side though is about a team effort and with a fine run out by Danny Hagan throwing in from deep third man to the gloves, a remarkable effort from Taylor Graham who pouched the catch safely after running towards the boundary without looking at the ball’s flight, and Roddy Vann making an athletic dive to his right to cling onto a fading ball in front of first slip, Bridge have a team that is demonstrably capable of being in the premier division.

Bridge’s reply after tea was led from the front by Danny Hagan (77) who set about the Clifton bowling from the off, ably supported by Phil Hill (23) and Dave Chaplin (28), Dave and captain Matt Beckett seeing Bridge comfortably home on 143 for 2 after 33 overs and putting them in clear second in the division behind Woodhouse Grange.

o The 1st XI is away on Saturday at Woodhouse Grange.

Stamford Bridge seconds were away against a side in the top three of the division, and who proved to be worthy of their position.

Batting first Hornsea built their score around Richard Pooley (38) and Mick Cadmore (32) but with wickets falling at a steady rate John Lewis (26 no) topped things up at the end to leave them on 177 for 9. Bridge’s wicket takers were Mark Fairweather (3-47), Josh Barrett (2-35) and Andy Winfield (2-24).

In reply Bridge’s batsmen started well with Ed Sykes (33) and Ian Fraser (33) making useful contributions but Hornsea’s bowling particularly Ben Kohler-Cadmore (3-43) and Mike Atkinson (2-12) pinned Bridge back and they finished on 140 for 7.