ANDY Thornton claimed double success in the opening night of the BIG Smash Bowling League at Dalton Cricket Club.

Thornton swept aside Roy Moxham and Barry Lowden, as more than 3,000 viewers watched the action live online.

The eight-man league – a new venture based on the successful BIG Smash competition which has drawn in top bowlers from across the country over the past two years – kicked off with four games on the Dalton green.

Simon Perry started things off with an 18-16 win against Stewart Turnbull, showing early dominance to move into 4-0 and 7-3 leads.

Turnbull struck back from the seventh end onwards and built up a 9-7 advantage, taking the second power end – where extra points are on offer – in the process.

The next four ends were shared, but Perry took the third power end for a maximum four points and took command of the latter stages for an 18-16 triumph. Turnbull claimed a losing bonus point thanks to taking four points from the final power end.

Thornton was a 19-14 victory over Moxham – taking three points in the process – commanding the first quarter of the game to lead 9-0.

Moxham needed to get hold of the jack, and gained control in end six, closing to 10-3 before Thornton took the second power end for a 12-3 lead.

Moxham began to find his length on the fast green, and put in a seven break over the next four ends to move to 12-10 behind, but Thornton bowled two great woods on the next power end to claim a maximum four points and eke further in front.

Moxham commanded the next quarter for 17-14, but a win on the final power end ensure Thornton triumphed.

Danny Rogers swept aside Gareth Jones 25-9 with the biggest win of the night for a maximum haul of four points.

The repeat of the 2016 BIG Smash final showed early promise of another great battle, Rogers leading 4-3 after the first power end.

He then began to take control, with Jones struggling to find a length, and it was 13-3 after the second power end and 20-6 after the third.

This meant Rogers had three points in the bag for the win, and he took the fourth as he won the final end for a big victory.

Lowden and Thornton rounded out the night, with the latter producing a strong 23-9 success for a bonus-point win.

Thornton took an early lead again and was 5-2 up after end five. Points went to and fro before a crucial win for Thornton on the second power end put him 12-5 ahead.

He then took the match by the horns, winning five of the next seven ends for a 19-8 lead, taking the bonus point with his efforts on the final two ends.

The second week of fixtures will take place on June 1, starting at 6.30pm. They are: Barry Lowden v Liam Howard, Simon Perry v Roy Moxham, Danny Rogers v Liam Howard, Stew Turnbull v Gareth Jones.

The organisers thanked all those who marked the board and measured, as well as sponsors Ross Estate Agencies, The Old Vicarage, Drakes Pride, Andy Rigg Carpets, MGL Group, Paul Rawlinson, Driving Sales, Piping Hot Plumbing and Heating, Cumbria Training Centre, The Clarence, Joe Murphy Flooring, Auto Diesel Technics, South Lakes Lettings, and Charnleys Home and Garden.