PERENNIAL runners-up Radcliffe Cricket Club started the season in impressive form with a 9-1 home win against Division One rivals Burning Desire.

Nigel Hallows and Wayne Renton led the way with three wins. Mick Dore won two and they won the doubles.

Prestwich B found it tough in their first game in the top flight, going down 7-3 at home to Carlton Club A.

Andy Evans won two for Prestwich and Bryan Beer one and although Dave Bolton went to five in all three of his matches, he ended without a win.

Phil Myers was on top form for Carlton with three wins, Ian Quinn added two and Gary Newton one.

Prestwich A won 6-4 at home to St Philips but none of the home team players could get the better of Dennis Collier who won all of his three for the visitors. Dave Cheetham and Duncan Hadfield each won two for Prestwich with Dave Pegg winning one and they took the doubles.

Little Lever shared the points at home with BAE. Phil Riley won two, Ronnie Durose and Ian Lansdale each won one and they won the doubles. Tom Lang and Tony Smith each won two for BAE and Tony Bates added the vital one for the draw.

Holmar A, newly-promoted to Division Two, had a tough initiation when they lost 8-2 to Seedfield A, who were in Division One last season.

David Poytress led the way for Seedfield with three wins, Peter Mears and Julian Nuttall won two each and they won the doubles.

Prestwich D beat Carlton B 7-3 at home and Keith Butler led the way with three wins for the home team.

SP Carlton, formerly St Philips B, beat an under-strength Maccabi A 7-3 at home where Gareth Palmer was in top form winning all of his three matches with Dave Scowcroft and Dave Holden each adding two. Dean Clyne made a welcome return after a long illness and won one for Maccabi, beating Dave Holden at five in the fourth.

In Division Three, Elton Vale B beat Seedfield B 6-4 in a match in which reserve Deo Jones was unbeaten on the night.

Dave Stubbington was the unbeaten player for Shawfield B but still finished on the losing side when Maccabi B beat them 6-4 at home.

Maccabi E team took on their newly-promoted F team in Division Four and were on the receiving end of a 9-1 beating.

Alan Nesbit and Yoni Morrison were unbeaten for the F team, Jack Nesbit added two and they won the doubles.

In Division Five, new signing Deo Woods enjoyed three fine wins to open his account with Seedfield E but his team lost 4-6 at home to BGSOB B.