ALLSPEEDS are once again proving that they are going to be the team to beat.

A 10-0 thrashing of one of their closest rivals, Buraccs, shows that even at this early stage they are odds-on favourites to retain the title. Allspeeds Keith Ward and Keith Jackson were both unbeaten in the match as was new signing Phil Blake.

For the Buraccs team, Bernard Cane was outstanding.

The Old Masters, a new team from the Burnley area, began their campaign by beating newly-promoted Sunnybank Social Club from Helmshore 9-1. John Thornber and Peter Wood for the Old Masters won all their sets in two games, but their third player Albert Pickles found the going a little tough. He beat Ian Spencer and Peter Beetham but only after a deciding third game, and he lost to Sunnybank number one Steve Nelson. Thornber and Wood won the doubles.

A very different New Era YC turned out for their match with the other promoted side Haslingden CC. The Youth Club had new signings Garth Winder and Barry Gregson on show. Both new players were unbeaten but Gregson had a narrow victory over the Cricket Club's Andy Horrocks winning 21-18 in the deciding game. New Era's third player had a fine win over Gordon Robinson but lost to Horrocks and Peter Barham. New Era also took the doubles to register an 8-2 victory.

The Royal Mail team also began their season with a win. They beat the Attackers 6-4 at the GPO sorting office in Burnley last week, mainly due to their number one Matt Harrison who registered three fine wins and along with his daughter Andrea, won the doubles. Andrea found the singles a bit more difficult as did their third player Arthur Hartshorn, both of them lost to the Attackers' Colin Parkinson and Michael Ray. In the Second Division, Rovers sent out a clear warning to all with a 10-0 victory over newly-promoted Shahsmen. Jim Fielding, Steve Lyons and Kris Seed making up the winning trio. But the victory wasn't as easy as the score suggests as Shahsmen, represented by Peter Grihault, Stuart Bloomer and Andy Lancaster took no less than five sets to a deciding game.

Kay Street Baptist from Rawtenstall, had a very impressive win over the Allspeeds Reserve team. Their new signing Frank Hodkinson was unbeaten, while his son Matthew added one more losing to David Heys and Suzanne Geldard. Kay Street's other player, Trevor Elkington, gained another two valuable points.

Mixed, bidding for a quick return to the First Division, won 7-3 against Sports and Social. Derek Pilling and Ray Cullen took maximum points. The Sports and Social trio of Frank Shanley, Geoff English and Roger Lamonby all picked up one point each.

Temple, also began well registering a useful win over the Raiders. Their number one Frank Rowland was in top form. But Peter Howard lost to Harry Rawcliffe, as did Jeff Hurstone. Jeff also lost to Matthew Hamer. Rowland and Howard also took the doubles. In the Third Division, relegated Stanhill WMC began well by beating a useful Casuals team. Tim Whittaker won two for the club side as did his son Simon. Both lost to Casuals number one Alan Ormerod. Nigel Penberthy added two more for Stanhill and they won the doubles. Casuals other point came from Nick Kenyon who beat Penberthy in a deciding game.

Results - Division One: Buraccs 0, Allspeeds 10; New Era YC 8, Haslingden CC 2; Old Masters 9, Sunnybank SC 1; Royal Mail 6, Attackers 4.

Division Two: Kay Street Baptist 7, Allspeeds Res 3; Mixed 7, Sports & Social 3; Raiders 3, Temple 7; Rovers 10, Shahsmen 0.

Division Three: Casuals 3, Stanhill WMC 7; Razor Blades 2, Harlequins 8; Three B's 7, Optimists 3.

Division Four: Baxenden 4, Whalley 6; New Era Res 10, Slammers 0; Springhill 6, DASH 4.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.