THE Warburton Cup first round commenced last week, with the league being split into two halves, as an experiment by Bolton Table Tennis League to stop the top teams drawing the bottom teams early on.

The competition involves all the teams in the league competing on a handicap basis, with each player playing four games against their opponents, before tallying up their points for a final score.

The first round saw nine listed fixtures, with a number of byes decreasing the volume of expected games.

There were also two walkovers in the top half of the draw due to a lack of available players.

BRASS A advanced to the second round of the competition after Flixton A conceded.

They were joined by Burning Desire after Ramsbottom Cricket Club also conceded.

In a clash between Division One’s Little Lever B and Division’s Two’s Meadow Ben B, it was the former that advanced to the next round.

Despite a start of 65.5 for Meadow Ben, the fixture ended 389-368.5 in favour of Little Lever.

There was improved participation in the bottom half of the draw, despite juniors Hilton J’s failure to raise a team against Farnworth SC C, who advanced as a consequence.

Division Three’s Meadow Ben C, who were assisted by a 65.5 start, ran out 435.5-311 winners against Division Two’s Boyzone to put their name in the hat for the second round.

Despite a 65.5 start for Top Spinners from Division Three, Division Two’s Bolton TTC A advanced with a 352-346.5 victory.

Second-placed Hilton D edged a close all-Division Two clash with third-bottom Ladybridge B 368.5-367, despite giving away 72.5.

With the first round now completed, the remaining 32 teams will be pitched against each other in the second round, which is to be played week commencing January 2.