Worcester and District Skittle League champions Westsiders made a losing start to the new campaign with a 33-pin home defeat by Warlords.

Although only three pins down after two legs, a disastrous third leg by Westsiders gave Warlords the initiative.

Hanley Sports, back in the first division after one season's absence, found it hard going away to the Saints, Hanleys losing four legs and the game by 43 pins.

Last season's third division champions Scaplehorns had a winning start away to Wanderers by 22 pins while fourth division champions Drumbusters lost to Cap n Gown FC by 39 pins.

Top individual scores of the week were 50 by J Hill of the Avengers on Barbourne and M Bell of Sausagemen on BGCC.

Division One

Results: Avengers 436 (J Hill 50, G Taylor 44, R Hoopetts 43, C Rees 41), Independents 431 (M Collins 49); Tearaways 390 (S Wood 37, M Barton 37, C Morgan 37), Back Scuttlers 428 (L Duffy 45, N Tustin 40); Westsiders 410 (M Wright 48), Warlords 443 (G Collins 47, D Collins 44, N Riley 42, P Jauncey 40); Saints 435 (G Ryland 44, D Jones 40, K Wedgebury 40), Hanley Sports 392 (A Tudge 45); Rockets 424 (K Monk 42, K Smallman 42, C Phipps 40), Budgies 440 (R Bennett 42, K Bowen 41); "C" Siders 425 (Mark Birbeck 42, P Nicholls 42), Arbos 434 (G Davis 44, J Collins 40, J Smith 40); Playboys 399 (K O'Neil 46, P E Wilding 46, R Taylor 42), Cradley Sports 418 (R Green 41).

Division Two

Archdales "B" 417 (G Edge 44, M Lewis 40, B Holloway 40), CEDS 461 (B Tudge 49, B Carter 42, P Charlton 42, G Howey 41); Fernhill Heath 387 (R Lane 39, D Bourne 39), Woodmen 392 (G Arnold 37, K Arnold 37); Old Reynards 366 (R Stevenson 38), XS Pins 369 (N Williams 36); Wanderers 394 (A Brewer 38), Scaplehorns 416 (R Newman 43); Mayflower 424 (L Tomkins 44), Newsmen 430 (C Powell 45, M Smith 42); Hallow "A" 374 (R Price 36), All Blacks 344 (K Beard 36).

Division Three

Sketchley Floaters 381 (A Newman 38, N Churchill 38), Droitwich RBL 373 (M Saunders 35); Cap n Gown FC 421 (M Hudson 41, R Sumner 41, A Rouse 40), Drumbusters 382 (D Grubb 42, S Eaves 41, A Jones 41, D Hill 40); Barmy Army 328 (Andy Davis 35), Heenans "A" 364 (S Insall 49); Goodrest 195 (P Martin 38 (only 7 players)), Bellstars 354 (C Smith 34); Robins 395 (N Stefford 47), Mad Bulls 396 (S Lee 38, J Russell 38); Flintstones 398 (D Roberts 43), Mazak Nines 379 (M Ramsay 40); Cavalier Outsiders 365 (D Cottrill 41), Newsboys 373 (M Keep 35, J Hudson 35, J Yeomans 35).

Division Four

Shooters 396 (A F Sharwood 40), Grasshoppers 376 (A Tandy 39); Sausagemen 421 (M Bell 50, T Clarke 45), Alleycats 374 (B Williams 40); Volunteers "A" 424 (N Tullett 43, M Carter 41), Stowaways 429 (S Pritchett 44, I Forbes 41, M Dunnett 41); St Johns RBL 387 (B Winney 44), Settlers 299 (A Price 35, C Roberts 35 (only 10 players)); Monarchs 319 (P Archer 35), CEDS "A" 256 (I Kennedy 39 (only 9 players)); Grosvenor Vikings 384 (V Harrison 39), Cygnets 375 (S King 38); Crown Rebels 379 (B Gill 39), Blacknecks 377 (M Kelly 35, D Hook 35).