SECTION A defending champions Rupert Ladies showed their pedigree by beating Aspull Ladies XI after trailing in the first innings.

Rupert were 17 runs behind Aspull after the first innings, but the champions raised their game by dismissing Aspull for 38 in the second innings, making the result look like a comfortable victory.

It was the opening salvo in the new BSF rounders’ season in a week which was rain-free, although 10 of the 78 matches were abandoned due to bad light.

A few other matches came close to being called off as the light failed, but they finished, in very gloomy conditions.

Last season’s B Section champions, 24-7 easyweb, have quickly settled back into the top Section, beating Darcy Lever C&SC B by 30 runs. Darcy’s A team again look set to be a force to be reckoned with as they beat Little Lever XI 183-92 after being just 24 ahead on the first innings.

After a brilliant start in the top Section last season, Bradbury Ladies’ fortunes changed and they were relegated for this season, but their luck did not change as they lost by eight runs to Phase 2 Bedrooms.

On a positive note, however, they fought back from a first-innings deficit of 32 runs.

The Flag were delighted to open their season with a 17-run victory over The Grapes B because last season they were losing games by single figures .

Promoted Nicholson made a confident start to life in Section B with an innings win over Egerton CC.

With 156 teams in the league this season, there is an extra section and with just six teams in the group, they will play each other four times instead of twice.

Newcomers Pink Ladies scored 339 runs in their single innings against the young BCC Girls team for whom the season will be a learning curve.

However, this was one of those games where a big score could have meant nothing if the light had gone before the finish.

It is permissible for teams to declare in their first innings because they can still bat again in a second innings if necessary. Declaring a first innings does not mean declaring the match.

The Good Friday Fun-Run was a huge success.

Participants should get their sponsorship money to the league treasurer, Joanne Holden, as soon as possible.