DIVISION one champions RI Amateurs made a strong start to the new York Amateur Bowls Association season with two wins from their opening two games.

They won 6-2 at Haxby Road before beating Selby 7-1 at home.

Haxby Road continued a poor start by losing 6.5-1.5 at Holgate WMC, who themselves had started badly by crashing 7.5-0.5 at Dunnington.

Dringhouses and RI Corinthians got their season underway with a rare 4-4 draw.

In division two, Bootham and Rowntree are the early pace-setters.

Bootham began with a 8-0 whitewash of West Park and followed up with a good 6-2 win at Osbaldwick.

Rowntree had two home victories, beating Hull Road Park 6.5-1.5 and poor West Park 7-1.

Clifton had a mixed week, losing 7-1 at Shipton before beating Burnholme 7-1 at home.

Division three saw Copmanthorpe and Harrogate make strong starts. Cop won 7-1 at Stamford Bridge before an emphatic 8-0 home win over Retreat, while Harrogate beat Scarcroft 7-1 and Minster 7.5-0.5.

Minster followed with another heavy loss, 7-1 to Poppleton Road WMC.

Stamford Bridge also had a heavy 8-0 defeat at Poppleton.

All clubs would welcome new bowlers. Anyone interested can go to their local club on Mondays or Wednesdays from 7pm.

Nominations are invited from bowlers wishing to represent YABA against the Friends of English Bowling to be played at York RI at 2pm on Tuesday, June 21.

The Friends team will be made up of bowlers from all over England, with people travelling from Hampshire and Wiltshire to name but a few of the counties represented.