Douglas Bay Pirates started the defense of their title in fine fashion, beating Ballaugh 5-2 last Sunday in the opening game of the Cherry Orchard Short Mat League at the NSC.

Stephen Gale won the opening singles game with a 20-3 win but Ballaugh hit back with Richard Faragher & Dave McTaggert taking the pairs 12-6. The final game of triples saw Gale, along with Michael Collister & Josh Ffrench come out 12-3 victors.

Elsewhere Ramsey Rebels also got off to a winning start, beating last years runners-up Ronaldsway Blockbusters 5-2. Jill Quayle & John Jauncey won the pairs 10-5 and Moira Anderson took the singles 12-8 before the Blockbusters managed to salvage some points with Maria Ashurst, Chris Holland & Collin Holland taking the game 9-4.

In the final game of the day Laxey Minors beat Castletown Super Threes 5-2 in a tight match. David Cottier & Peter Coward took the pairs for the Minors with a 12-8 before Sylvia Maddrell levelled the match winning her singles 8-6. The final triples game saw Cotter & Coward, alongside Seamus Whelan take the game & match with a 9-4 win.

Next week the Cherry Orchard League continues with Colby Cosmos playing their first game of the season against Douglas Bay Pirates, Ramsey Rebels face Laxey Minors and Ballaugh meet Castletown Super Threes.