Youngsters start campaign strongly

[caption id="attachment_39561" align="alignright" width="175" caption="Defending women's champion Rachel Bihet leads the way once more with four meetings remaining. (Picture by Andrew Le Poidevin, 0730141)"]

With the top flight yet to start, St Michael's stepped into the spotlight with 25 points from their two matches.

In securing a 16-2 victory over Pessimists C, the all-junior team pairings of Chris Rabey/Adam Jouhning and Joe Baines/Adam Greening played well, but will be tested throughout the season as was indicated in their 9-9 draw against Pessimists B where Jed Le Page appeared to make the difference for Pessimists.

But St Andrew's C will be breathing down St Michael's necks following their 18-0 whitewash of Sunbeams A.

Division Three has been stormed by Shuttlebusters A after two 18-0 victories over Vale Rec and Sunbeams B.

Andy Ison, Alan Leivars, Gary Hart, Steve Williams and Steve Glencross have all combined well to take pole position with 36 points.

Ladies Division One looks like it could be a battle royal for the title.

On paper three teams could easily be in contention from Rohais A, St Andrew's A and St Michael's A, but it is the latter who have taken an early lead with 14-4 win over their B team and a hard fought 12-6 victory over last season's runners-up St Andrew's.

St Michael's have had to use reserves in each match, but all have pulled their weight. They are gathering quite a group of strong players and even their B team will be a tough group to beat.