It has taken over a month, but Lightcliffe's 1st XI secured their opening victory of the season in Bradford Premier League Division 1 thanks to an impressive display with bat and ball from overseas player Hasan Raza.

After a few weeks of gloomy weather and curtailed matches, it was the first real chance for Hasan to shine and, on a day of plenty of sunshine, shine he did - taking four wickets for just 15 runs in a little over 12 overs and then getting the Villagers across the line with the bat with a sublime 95 from just 64 balls, a knock that included 13 4s and 4 6s - including from the last ball of the match.

The fact the match ended so emphatically and so quickly will be something of a surprise to those who watched the opening hour's play either in person at Till Carr Lane or online on our livestream. Some loose bowling, fielding that needed work and determined batting from the East Bierley openers meant 86 had been added in the first dozen overs. It looked like it could be a long afternoon in the field for captain Niall Lockley and his team. It wasn't.

Whatever was slipped in the water for the 17 over drinks break did wonders for Lightcliffe with the six balls immediately after containing three dismissals thanks to some top quality bowling from Yusuf Malik and a run out thanks to George Leach's incredibly fast reactions and Monty Ramsden's always fast hands at the stumps.

The over broke East Bierley although they stubbornly held out until the 38th over in which time Yusuf had taken 4-37 from 11, Osama Ahmad 1-50 from 10 and Hasan, with numbers which needed a triple check to confirm their brilliance, of 4-15 from 12.2.

The innings break came, tea was taken and then a poignant moment of reflection.

Beautifully observed by both teams, officials and spectators, a minute's silence was held to remember our friend and club legend John Radcliffe who died on Monday. It would have given John great pleasure to see the way Lightcliffe performed in the second half of the innings before tea, and it was our pleasure to come together to remember a man who gave so much to the club and whose memory will live on. Thank you, John. And thank you to each and every person from Lightcliffe and East Bierley who came together, as cricket always does, to remember a true servant of the game and a true gentleman.

John would also have loved the quality of the chase that was to follow. 139 was the target and although the start was not ideal with an unlucky Niall Lockley, captain for the day, being given out lbw facing his first ball, the result looked in little doubt very quickly as Hasan Raza hit boundary after boundary. Ably assisted by Jordan Laban, who made 39 from 61 balls, his quality was unquestionable.

Within 90 minutes, it was done, 20 much needed points were added to Lightcliffe's total in the table and, on a day when the thoughts of everyone were with John's wife Marjorie and all his family and friends, the team he loved displayed grit and character that he would undoubtedly have been incredible proud of. No finer tribute.