Reigning West Tyne Cricket League Division One champions Haydon Bridge didn’t start their title defence how they would have wanted after losing to Mitford last weekend.

The hosts had set last year’s winners 155 to win on the opening day of the season thanks to a 43 from Chris Kirtley and a 41 from captain Kieran Mole, but Haydon Bridge could only manage 92 all out in response.

Elsewhere in Division One, South Northumberland won their opening game of the season by a huge 193 runs against Matfen.

The away side could only manage a score of 70 all out in response to the 263/7 that the home side had scored earlier in the day.

Humshaugh claimed a 36-run win away at Haltwhistle with Andy Crawford scoring 49 in the process, while Belsay took a six-wicket win against Hexham Leazes.

On Sunday, Benwell Hill secured a 50-run win against Newton with Zain Ahmad top scoring with 52 in the process.

With Division Two headlines being made at Allendale thanks to the superb performance from 12-year-old Owen Forbes, another team to impress was Riding Mill.

The side – new to the league this season – claimed a 127 run win at home to Clara Vale on their debut.

Elsewhere, Mitford 3rds defeated Hexham Leazes 2nds by 81 runs after dismissing the hosts for just 36 all out, while Haltwhistle 2nds chased down their needed target to take home the win against Humshaugh 2nds.

Medomsley were also victorious on the opening day of the season, after defeating Stocksfield by four wickets.