Bryson opened his campaign with an undefeated 105 as Bowdon defeated Nantwich in a league game by nine wickets and he followed that with 121 in an 80-run win over Hyde in the first round of the Cheshire Cup.

The game against Hyde yielded 494 runs for the loss of only eight wickets with Bryson's team-mate, Anthony Crozier, an England Under-19 player, hitting a fluent 125 and Hyde's David Gandy 100.

That score was one more than the unfortunate Chris Schofield mustered on his debut for Undercliffe against Baildon in the Bradford League. The former Yorkshire colt was dismissed for 99 after sharing an opening stand of 185 with Mark Gilliver, who went on to open his season's account with 128.

Worcestershire's David Leatherdale, with three for 43 and 84 not out, played the leading role as Farsley defeated a Windhill side including his county colleague, Richard Illingworth, by nine wickets and Yorkshire's Bradley Barker scored 73 for Bradford and Bingley against champions East Bierley.

There were two centurions on the opening day of the Liverpool Competition, although both finished on the losing side. Graham Money hit 101 not out for Oxton against Wallasey and Geoff Blackburn's 114 was not enough to prevent Liverpool losing to Wigan.

In the Huddersfield League, champions Meltham opened with an emphatic win over Kirkburton, Howard Palmer hitting an unbeaten 131, while in the Ribblesdale League Bruce Hara hammered an impressive 108 not out as Barnoldswick defeated Padiham by nine wickets.

Two newcomers to the Lancashire League professional ranks announced their arrival in style. New South Wales all- rounder Shane Lee plundered 127 not out off 95 balls as Enfield defeated Bacup and South African slow left-armer Corrie Jordaan claimed nine for 59 for Lowerhouse against Church.