Wet weather heralded the start of the Yorkshire & Derbyshire League season over the Bank Holiday weekend. Rain overnight on Friday into Saturday morning curtailed the whole of the Saturday programme and put paid to Sunday's solitary fixture as well. Luckily, it relented for Bank Holiday Monday but even then many games faced abandonment.

Reigning Division One champions Hundall suffered defeat on their travels at the hands of Parkhead. The home side compiled 199-7 (Edman Bowers 49, Ian Davies 105 no) and saw the champs dismissed for 153. Ian Davies capped a fine performance by taking 4-16 with the ball to add to his unbeaten century.

2004 Runners-Up Sheffield Works Department opened their account with a convincing nine wicket win over Holmesfield. Electing to bat, Holmesfield were sent back for 108 (Brad Sampson 5-15) which Works passed for the loss of a single wicket thanks to Simon Pass (52 no) and Iain Mallett (45 no).

Division One newcomers Chesterfield Barbarians were restricted to 93-8 at home to Sheffield Collegiate, who reached victory with seven wickets to spare. New Zealand import Mark Kerr top scored with 44 in Ashford In The Water's 150 all out. Dave Hadfield claimed 5-36 for Stanton In Peak, who could only muster 59 in reply (N.Rosling 41, R.Needham 5-4). Hathersage reached 63 without loss before rain forced the abandonment of their game with the other divisional newcomers, Calver. Centralians were in trouble at 31-7 against De La Salle before they too were brought to a halt by the weather.

Last year's Division Three champions Dronfield Woodhouse made an impressive start to their Division Two campaign by demolishing Stocksbridge II. David Drew (6-18) saw the North Sheffield side skittled for just 31 as Woodhouse raced to a seven wicket win. SWD II ran out winners in a closely-fought low scoring affair away at Millhouses. The home side could only muster 77, which Works surpassed with two wickets in hand.

Baslow were dismissed for 127 but hit back to humble Centralians II for just 86 (Webster 44) due to an inspired spell from skipper John Hadfield (7-35). Stocksbridge 1sts made their way to 68-4 before their game with Grindleford also fell victim to the elements. Sheepbridge celebrated their inaugural game in the league with a win over Sheffield Collegiate fifths. Collegiate made 107-9 (D.Hulett 4-26) which Sheepbridge passed with four men down in the solitary Division Three fixture.

The league hope to complete a full programme of fixtures at the weekend, when all four divisions finally get under way.