Tariq Aziz hit an unbeaten century to help reigning champions Godmanchester launch their Tucker Gardner League Division One title defence in winning style yesterday.

Aziz hit 12 boundaries in a classy 109no to help his side to a seven-run success against Histon at The Parks.

There was also an unbeaten half-century from Matt Durrant (54no) and valuable runs from new skipper Paul Swannell (44) as Godmanchester reached 239-5.

Aziz and young prospect James Dean claimed two wickets apiece as they defended that tally with Histon closing on 232-6.

The 2014 champions, Ramsey, were also victorious as past and current captains impressed.

Former skipper Taylor West (73) and the man who succeeded him during the winter, Michael Cafferkey (51), laid the foundations for a 129-run triumph at Waresley in an all-local clash.

Their contributions helped Ramsey post 250 before a five-wicket haul from Mark Edwards and three wickets for debutant Kasim Ikhlaq skittled the hosts for 121.

Chetan Chauhan and Alex Watkiss had earlier been the pick of the Waresley bowlers with three wickets apiece, but their side couldn’t get competitive with the bat.

Alex Scully (34) and Ian Donald (33) were the only men to make sizable contributions as they were dismissed for 121 with skipper Tom Griffiths unable to bat due to injury.

Eaton Socon’s first outing in Division One was a triumphant one.

The Division Two champions announced their arrival in the top flight by seeing off Blunham by 38 runs at Peppercorns Lane.

New skipper Jonny Carpenter top-scored with 56 as Eaton Socon reached 208 before Ben Gowling was the pick of the bowlers with 3-38 as Blunham were dismissed for 170 in reply.

New overseas player Matt Kirkham (41) and new recruit Matt Pateman (34) – who captained Godmanchester to the title last season – also added useful runs with the bat for Eaton Socon.

TUCKER GARDNER LEAGUE

Division One

EATON SOCON beat BLUNHAM by 38 runs

Eaton Socon 208 (J. Carpenter 56, M. Kirkham 41, M. Pateman 34).

Blunham 170 (B. Gowling 3-38).

GODMANCHESTER beat HISTON by 7 runs

Godmanchester 239-5 (T. Aziz 109no, M. Durrant 54no, P. Swannell 44).

Histon 232-6.

WARESLEY lost to RAMSEY by 129 runs

Ramsey 250 (T. West 73, M. Cafferkey 51, B. Mills 38, O. Stevens 35, C. Chauhan 3-23, A. Watkiss 3-65)

Waresley 121 (A. Scully 34, I. Donald 33, M. Edwards 5-29, K. Ikhlaq 3-14).