THE new badminton season has started with the loss of two of the Bolton Badminton League's longest established clubs.

Chowbent BC and GMT BC have both pulled out because of local membership difficulties. This now reduces A and C sections to 10 teams each and B Section to just nine; D Section has 12 and E Section 11.

On the positive side, the Bolton Arena is playing host for the first time to league badminton, with Metro and Forrest clubs - the former with five teams and the latter with seven - based there.

Matches began this week with the very first fixture resulting in a useful start for newly-promoted Metro A playing Markland Hill C, also promoted this season.

The home side got to grips with the new venue far better than the visitors, taking all but two of the mixed. They continued in the same fashion throughout the men's and ladies' for an impressive 16-2 opening win from Jean Melia, Mandy Molloy, Nicola Hill, Peter Preston, Alan Parkinson and Andrew Blythe.

Another home win came from Forrest C in their opener at the Arena against Sharples B.

With the mixed initally shared, it was Sharples who took the lead when experienced Steve Duckworth and Kath Heywood won both third mixed.

Forrest came roaring back with Pratibha Patel and Tony Augustyniak beating Maggie Taylor and Ian Kay in a tight 15-13, 15-11 set followed by two more for the home side from Helen Hartley and Ken Barr.

When Jackie Carter - celebrating her 18th birthday this week - and Pratibha raced to a 15-1 first ladies win, Forrest were 7-4 ahead. But Sharples' ladies refused to give up the fight and took the second 15-11 to keep the visitors in with a chance.

Top men's were also divided but, unfortunately for Sharples, the Forrest ladies struck back once more with Helen and Jackie winning comfortably 15-2, 15-7, to clinch the points. Ken and David added the two final men's for a celebratory 12-6 win for Forrest.

League champions Bury A kick off their campaign next week at home to Metro A.