Police got their season off to a spectacular start as they whitewashed newly-promoted Hawcoat Park A 14-0 in Division One of the Furness and District Bowling League.

There were some one-sided scorelines, including Billy Thornton thrashing Ron Woods 21-2 and a 21-3 victory for Stewart Turnbull over Jack Curphey, while Paul Kissock and Danny Edmonds were both 21-5 victors for the Bobbies.

It was much tighter between Post Office and Glaxo SK, who shared the spoils after a 7-7 draw, while champions King Alfred got their defence off to a winning start by defeating Dalton Cricket Club 10-5.

It was the visitors’ ability to stay cool in tight situations that proved the difference, as Keith Mills, Steve Atkinson, both 21-20, and Tony Whitehouse, 21-18, all held their nerve.

Lindal edged out King Alfred A 8-7, with Simon Perry, 21-10, their most impressive winner, while a narrow victory for the hosts’ Ethan Lowden, 21-20, eventually proved to be in vain.

Things were more clear-cut for Hawcoat Park, as they swept aside Red River 12-2, with the heaviest victories coming for Tony Moxham, 21-6, and Peter McDonald, 21-7.

Elsewhere in the top division, Askam breezed past Co-op 12-2, while Walney Park defeated Salthouse 8-6.

In Division Two, Walney Park A, who won promotion last year, opened with a 9-5 defeat at Salthouse A, for whom Mark Singleton, Alan Newsham and Martin Carpenter all recorded 21-8 victories.

West Shore ran out 10-5 winners against Kirkby A, while Police A recorded the same margin of victory against Hawcoat Park B.

It was a straightforward start for Co-op A, who comfortably defeated Askam A 11-3, with Jack Huitson, 21-9, one of their most impressive performers.

Kirkby were 9-5 winners in their home fixture against Roose A and the same scoreline was repeated between Barrow Island and King Alfred B, while Roose were able to defeat Dalton Cricket Club A 9-5

In Division Three, Lindal A swept aside a depleted West Mount A 12-2, with two of the matches ending in walkovers for the home side.

That was also the case for Salthouse B, who hammered Walney Park B 12-3 on their own green, while Glaxo SK A won handsomely 11-3 against Co-op B, despite most of the matches being nip and tuck.

Elsewhere, the other two opening fixtures were also one-sided, as North Scale and Red River A were 11-3 winners against Barrow Island A and Hawcoat Park C, respectively.