IN the week where England brought home the Twenty20 Cricket World Cup the race has begun to find this year's local champions in the most exciting form of the game.

The 2010 season of the John Pettit Grimsby & District Cricket Midweek League is off and running – and last year's Division One Champions Blossom Way Old Boys have continued where they left off.

The division one title holders inflicted a 96-run defeat on hosts Catholic Sports. The newly promoted side will now be aware of the high standard in the top flight.

BWOB batted first in a game reduced to 16 overs. Although Henry made an early breakthrough, Todd (51) and Unsworth (43) started to pile on the runs.

And a late 17 not-out from Irvine saw them finish on 143 for three.

The Catholics' reply started badly as first Gary Tillison (pictured above) (3-0-10-5) and later R Hodgson (4-0-12-4) tore through their batting line-up.

Only Hughes and Clifton made double figures as the hosts were dismissed at the end of the 13th over for 47.

Fellow promoted team Immingham Blossom Way had a more successful opening venture, beating Waltham Millers by five wickets.

Batting first, the Millers were restricted to 72 for six from their 16 overs, Hamilton returning economical figures of 4-1-9-1.

Rich Griffin was the only batsman to make double figures, notching 26.

IBW's Brown made 32 not out in reply, but had little support from his fellow batsmen.

He still managed, however, to guide his team to a five-wicket win, sealing the result on the last ball.

Western OB also made a winning start by overcoming Holton-le-Clay by nine runs at the Stamford Club.

J Richardson top-scored for the hosts with 36 as WOBs posted 12 for four.

P Briggs led the run chase with 45 but Ian Hallam's four-wicket haul for 21 runs ensured the WOBs defended their total.

Springfield Ibwest did not play this week as this year's division one involves seven teams following the late withdrawal of Old Winghams.

RELEGATED Emplex began their campaign to bounce back at the first attempt in division two with a 12-run victory against Willy's Cleethorpes.

The Willy's opening bowling attack of Sunley and Tulley kept things tight and restricted Emplex to 36 for two after eight overs.

But a spirited 46 from Chandrasekera and a late flurry of runs saw Emplex close on a more than respectable 112 for four.

Melville (20) and Butterfield (51) made hay in reply with the bat and at the halfway stage Willy's looked favourites to win having reached 57 without loss.

The introduction of spin, however, in the forms of Waghorn (two for 14) and Meadows (three for 16), slowed the scoring rate and wrapped up a victory that looked unlikely eight overs earlier.

From their next game, Emplex will play their home games at Augusta Street, not Barretts.

Barton Windows, also relegated from division one last season, made a late request to be known as Grimsby Town Pumas ahead of their win at Healing.

Barnard (three for 20) and Stark (three for five) ripped through Healing's middle order and tail as BWT closed on 101, all out on the last ball of their 20 overs.

Puma wicketkeeper Crossley then added to his three dismissals with the gloves by hitting 30 runs.

Despite a frugal spell of bowling from Chris Laister, big-hitting number three Chris Waters crashed his way to 39 not out and saw his side to victory with eight wickets and 4.4 overs to spare.

Old Clee made 113 for two from 16 overs against Phoenix firsts at Stamford Club, with Abe (40) and Campbell (41) contributing the lions share of the runs.

Fazel (51) and Jafrez (40 not out) then dominated the run chase.

And Phoenix reached their target with 2.2 overs to spare.

HAYLEY Butts put in a stunning bowling performance as Humberston BW beat HLC Badgers in division three of the Grimsby & District Midweek Cricket League.

Before her impact in the field HBW had posted a total of 136 for six from their seven overs, Wyld (37) and Ellis (44) putting in good shifts with the bat.

Butts, who was riled after being given out lbw for 0 in that innings, channelled her aggression into producing a stunning opening bowling spell.

She culled the Badgers' top order to put the result beyond doubt, finishing on figures of 5-1-9-5.

Butts was also backed up by the evergreen HBW pairing of Dent (two for 19) and G Avison (two for six).

The bowling attack restricted the Badgers to just 47 runs before they were all out in the 20th over.

The one-sided affair at Blossom way was the only division three fixture played following the late withdrawal of Cleethorpes Academy first team from the league.

Their absence meant that there was no fixture for Punjab Lions, who will being their campaign this evening against Harvest Moon at Healing British Legion.