THE new table tennis season kicked off with all four divisions with a full 12-team compliment.

In their first match since returning to the Premier Division, Burning Desire went to Radcliffe CC a player short.

Dave Andrews scraped a set for them in a thrilling five-setter, bamboozling his opponent with a series of surprising fast serves and unexpected returns.

However, Radcliffe were too strong across the board and won the match 21-14.

Little Lever A started with a 21-15 win at Hilton A with maximum nine points from man-of-the-match Graham Jeffries.

Ladybridge A made a promising start with a 23-15 win at Wharton, Andrew Evans scoring nine for them.

Top team Ramsbottom Town A had a 26-6 win at Flixton CC B and newly-promoted Ramsbottom Town B beat Nomads 17-15 with a nine from Brian Clements.

Last year’s champions, now renamed Glodwick TTC, overcame last year’s third-placed Flixton CC A 24-10 with nines from Amirul Hussain and Ryan Choong.

In Division One, Ramsbottom Town D pipped Wingates 17-16, assisted by a nine from Keith Howarth, while Meadow Ben A overcame Hilton E 20-14 despite a resisting nine from Hilton’s Matthew Kennedy.

Ramsbottom Town C beat Hilton B 21-14 while Hilton D overcame Little Lever CC B 18-16 and Hilton C just beat Heaton CC A thanks to a nine from Andy Morey.

In Division Two, Top Spinners felt the heat, going down 27-8 to St Paul’s Peel with a nine from Faizan Bhura.

Bolton TTC A beat Farnworth SC B 24-11 despite a maximum from Martyn Garnett.

Farnworth SC C also lost out 20-13 to Ladybridge B, thanks to a nine from John Birchall, and Peter Cooper’s nine saw Meadow Ben B to a 24-13 victory against their C team. Bolton TTC B lost 20-15 thanks to a nine from David Jones, while Phil Petts’ nine was in vain as Polonia Club A beat Brass Zone.

In Division Three Irlam Steel SC beat new team Polonia Club B 15-13, Meadow Ben D beat venue compatriots Meadow Hill B 24-9, Ladybridge C also won 24-9, against Farnworth SC D.

Junior team Hilton H had a 21-14 win against Albany and Walkden Methodists were 19-16 winners against Meadow Hill A.