THE Kendal and District Bowling League made a dramatic return as the 2018 season got underway.

Holme A began the defence of their Division One title with an emphatic 8-2 victory over Holme B.

The defending champions dominated from the start as Daniel Varcoe defeated Tom Baxter 21-1, while there were also wins for Matthew Stewart and Mark Ashburn who saw off Mike Fell and Stephen Varcoe.

Holme B battled back when Alan Hine edged out Liam Baxter 21-16 before Ellie Chandlor defeated Callum Baxter 21-13.

However, Holme A eased their way to victory when Bob Grisedale and Stephen Ashburn edged out Alan Stewart and Dave Crayston 21-18 respectively, before Gavin Whitehead saw off Dave McRoy 21-15.

In the other Division One games, Victoria A routed Victoria B 9-1, Netherfield A edged out Netherfield B 7-3, Lindale A defeated Levens A 7-3, while Kings Arms Hale held their nerve to defeat Windermere A 6-4. In the final game, Burneside A and Bowness A battled out an entertaining 5-5 draw.

In Division Two, Ambleside A defeated Netherfield C 7-3, Staveley A dominated Subscription A 9-1 while there were 8-2 wins for Kirkby Lonsdale A, Arnside A and Burton A who saw off Windermere B, Allithwaite A and Burton B respectively.

Ambleside B defeated Milnthorpe A 9-1 in Division Three, while Lower Holker A, Ingleborough A, Burneside B, Windermere C and Holme picked up crucial victories.

In Division Four Subscription B and newly-promoted Abbot Hall B shared the spoils in a dramatic 5-5 draw.

Eve Clark picked up the best result for Subscription after an impressive 21-5 victory against Ron Butler, while Margaret Petcher claimed the best result for Abbot Hall following an 21-10 win over Jacqui Howarth.

Endmoor A, Allithwaite C, King Arms Hales B and Netherfield D won their respective games while Arnside B and Langdale drew 5-5.

In Division Five, Lower Holker B, Lindale D, Victoria D, Staveley B, Subscription C and Ingleborough B all made winning starts to the season following wins against Endmoor B,Burneside C,Milnthorpe B,Crosthwaite B and Kirkby Lonsdale B.