Last year’s runners-up Booth travel to Thornton on Saturday looking to make amends for a disappointing opening day defeat in the Foster’s Halifax League.
Robert Laycock’s side fell victim to an early assault from Blackley opener Reece Jennison and never really recovered, taking only four points from a 119-run defeat.
Jennison, back from Hartshead Moor in the Bradford League, set about the home attack from the start, reaching 50 in no time.
He and Tom Baxter (37) added 115 for the second wicket before the pair departed in quick succession, Jennison having hit six sixes and eight fours in his 80.
Andrew Truscott(three for 15) and debutant Chris Shannon (two for 35) helped reduce Blackley to 169 for eight but they rallied to finish on 220 with Richard Laycock (four for 65) clearing up the tail.
The pitch seemed to change after the half-time roll and Blackley’s Paul Dowle took advantage with his gentle swingers, taking seven for 41 to dismiss the hosts for 101.
Promoted Bridgeholme made an inauspicious start in Division One, losing by 147 runs at Southowram.
Allah Ditta took three wickets to reduce the Ram to 80 for five but things went downhill from there for the visitors with Scott Griffiths (98) and Tom Belfield (79) cutting loose.
The Rams finished on 246 for seven and that target looked a long way off as the visitors slumped to 30 for five.
Bridgeholme did manage to bat the full 45 overs, opener Keith Hudson dropping anchor at one end with just 18 not out, but they fell one run short of a batting point at 99 for seven.
Luddenden Foot host Stones in Division Two on Saturday boosted by maximum points from a trip to Denholme Clough.
Karl Whipp’s men didn’t know quite what to expect at a club which has had major changes behind the scenes in the close season but it turned out they had nothing to fear.
Spearheaded by new signing Chris Roy, they won a match which came to a hasty conclusion by 84 runs.
Ex-Sowerby Bridge player Roy made 40 and Gareth Hall 38 as Foot totalled 169.
Clough were in the hunt at 80 for three but folded to 85 all out with Roy’s inswingers yielding four for eight and spinner Tom Hosker taking three for 15.
In the same section, Old Town were bowled out for 149 in reply to visiting Low Moor’s 183. It was a respectable first effort from Tom Booth’s men against last year’s beaten Parish Cup finalists.