Champions for the past two seasons Cardigan hit the winning trail on the opening day of the Ceredigion Bowling Association season with a 32-shot win at Aberaeron.

The coastal side put up stern resistance and came out on top in two rinks but the champs, with captain Paul Monders leading by example, had that bit extra knowhow.

Monders skipped the top visiting rink and was accompanied by Emyr Davies, Jim Higgs and Paul Edwards who sprang a 41-13 win over Daryl Evans, Malcolm Carlton, Malcolm Evans and skip Gwyn Jones.

Aberaeron 72 (4 points) Cardigan 104 (10 points)

Skip scores (Aberaeron names first): Roger Jones 15 Michael Newcombe 27; Wyndham Jones 19 Kevin James 15; Allen Jones 25 Marc James 21; Gwyn Jones 13 Paul Monders 41

Lampeter, who like Cardigan have qualified for the open stage of the Carruthers Shield competition also got off on the right foot with a 31-shot win over Queen's Road in Aberystwyth.

Queen's Road 60 (2 points) Lampeter 91 (12 points)

Rink scores (Queen's Road names first): Brian Davies 24 Steve Entwistle 13; Steve Moore 12 Henry Jones 20; Jamie James 14 Lewis Williams 26; Martyn Phillips 10 Nick Randell 32

The top Lampeter rink was skipped by nick Randell with Emlyn Dudley, Robert Wright and Emyr Thomas.

Division One: Aberaeron 72 (4 pts) Cardigan 104 (10 pts); Tregaron 83 (10pts) Aberystwyth 75 (4 pts); Queen's Road 60 (2 pts) Lampeter 91 (12 pts) Division Two: Aberteifi 76 (14 pts) Aeron 55 (0 pts); Llanbedr 60 (2 pts) New Quay 71 (12 pts); Llandysul 86 (9 pts) Newcastle Emlyn 86 (5 pts)