DEFENDING Huddersfield Bowling League champions Netherton Con got off to a winning start against Lockwood Con.
Keith Midwood's outfit, who are chasing a fourth successive Subscription Cup title, beat Lockwood 12-4 (225-174), with Nigel Midwood picking up first sweep after a 21-4 victory against Keith Beaumont.
For Lockwood, Paul Kain was the highest winner after his 21-7 success against Paul Keeling in the Longwood BC-staged match.
Last year's runners-up Thongsbridge, who pushed Netherton all the way until dropping off in the closing stages to finish 16 points adrift, notched a large 14-2 (234-168) victory against Waterloo, who have lost a few players in the close season.
Promoted Drayton Cup champions Slaithwaite CBC B turned over their first team rivals with a 9-7 victory.
But A team skipper Ged Sykes said: "It was a very close match with very good bowling.
"But despite winning the aggregate we're a bit sick about the result because we know we had chances to win the game.
"But I'm sure both teams can do some damage to others this time around."
Promoted Lower Hopton, runners-up to Slaithwaite B, lost 12-4 to Marsh United who escaped relegation from the Subscription by two points, but Cowcliffe Lib, who clinched the final promotion place from the Drayton, racked up a solid 11-5 win against Milnsbridge BC A.
In the Drayton Cup, Moldgreen Con, who were pipped for promotion to the top flight by a single point from Cowcliffe Lib A, got off to a flier to lay down the gauntlet to others in the section, after a 15-1 victory against Syngenta.
And Kirkheaton Con A, tasted a first defeat for over year, when they were beaten 12-4 by Crosland Moor Manor.
Kirkheaton, stormed through the Littlewood Cup unbeaten last season, winning all 19 games as they clinched the title.
