THE new season has opened with the introduction of the controversial 11 point game, with the best of five games constituting a set, and service changes after two serves writes Ian Wheeldon

Early indications are that players have to be focused from the start or struggle to compete, but it will be interesting to hear players' opinions and comments which could be included on the back of the score cards.

Early handbook changes include the late entry from Ellesmere who have been allocated the number four spot in the Division Three fixtures and due to loss of premises Irlam Steel B have withdrawn and the A team are playing at Hilton Centre on Friday both in Division Four.

Newly promoted Nomads A found the going tough in their first Premier Division match, losing 9-0 to Hilton A who are the old Farnworth SC team. Trebles for Mark Gibson for Hilton B in their 5-4 win over Wharton A, George Brennand for Horwich Hilton who beat Moss A 6-3, and Ron Durose for Little Lever in their 6-3 win over Rammy B.

In Division One Brian Heys trebled for Wharton B who beat WMCA 6-3, as did Kevin Chapman for Carlton who beat Little Lever B by the same scoreline. Ladybridge A made a good start with a convincing 8-1 win over Heaton B.

, which included three wins apiece for Dave Bolton and George Simpson plus two by Alex Waring.

Some close scores were recorded in Division two with three finishing 5-4. Rushtons won the first four sets but lost to Hilton D, newly promoted Meadow Hill A won at Heaton D thanks to three wins by Steve Jones, but Richard Hinchcliffe who trebled for Ladybridge B was on the losing team at Heaton C. The two promoted teams both lost their matches 6-3, Heaton E at Nomads B and Little Lever D at Halliwell Meths, Gareth Palmer trebled for Nomads.

Division Three also recorded three 5-4 and two 6-3 wins. Farnworth won 5-4 at WMCA despite a treble by Jack Quinn, as did Markland Hill B against Rammy C thanks to three wins by Kath Hilton. Adam Smart won his three sets for Hilton H who lost 5-4 to Hilton F. Junior Siful Khan scored a treble for Hilton E who beat their I team 6-3, and three wins by John Birchall helped Ladybridge C to their 6-3 win at Ellesmere.

In Division Four the Hilton L veterans proved too strong for the juniors of Tonge TTC winning 8-1.

The solitary win for Tonge was by Sparkle Munro against trebles by Ron Ainsworth and George Laks plus two wins by George Berry.

Results: Premier Division: Nomads A 0 Hilton A 9; Hilton B 5 Wharton A 4; Mosses A 3 H/Hilton 6, Little Lever A 6 Rammy B 3.

Division One: Ladybridge A 8 Heaton B 1; Wharton B 6 YMCA 3; Carlton 6 Little Lever B 3.

Division Two: Halliwell 6 Little Lever D 3; Nomads B 6 Heaton E 3; Heaton C 5 Ladybridge B 4; Heaton D 4 Markland Hill A 5; Rushtons 4 Heaton D 5.

Division Three: Ellesmere 3 Ladybridge C 6; YMCA 4 Farnworth 5; Markland Hill B 5 Rammy C 4; Hilton H 4 Hilton F 5; Hilton E 6 Hilton I 3.

Division Four: Tonge TTC 1 Hilton L 8.