THE outdoor bowls season got under way last Wednesday in Whitchurch League Division One with only Hyde Abbey A registering a five-point win – over St Mary Bourne Hawks by 56 shots to 41.

Second-placed Alton took four points from Andover B as they won 49-40, while Basingstoke Spades won at newly-promoted Alton Social 46-39.

The other promoted team, Oakley A, just beat Kingsclere Quails 42-40.

It finished all square as Littleton Leopards drew 48-48 against Howard Park A, who took three points for a two-rink win.

Marnell B started their season with a bang in Division Two demolishing Oakley B 78-22.

Newly-promoted Whitchurch Blacks beat St Mary Bourne Eagles 59-41 and moved into second place.

Howard Park C beat Old Basing Cavaliers 51-38 to hold on to third place.

The only other match in this division saw Hook Hares scramble a win over Andover A 46-45.

Only three matches have been recorded to date in Division Three and Kingsclere Partridges had a comfortable 65-22 win over Marnell A.

Basingstoke Jokers beat their newly-promoted Diamonds team 57-36, while Old Basing Roundheads won against Thornycroft A 48-44.

In Division Four, Hyde Abbey B completed a good day for the club in games against St Mary Bourne by beating the Merlins 78-35.

Old Basing Royalists saw off Andover C 57-45 and Oakley C beat Kingsclere Pheasants 60-52.