REIGNING champions Sports Centre and runners-up Banister Park were both beaten on a remarkable opening night in the Southam-pton and District BA Championship season.

While the title holders were being whitewashed 93-60 by Atherley last year's Championship 2 runners-up Pirrie Park were dishing out a 6-2 (80-76) shock to Banister Park.

A handsome 22-12 win by Bill Kellaway against Mark Hammond was the key to Pirrie Park's flying start. He was backed by the slim but notable 23-21 success of John Niblock against Middleton Cup bowler Barry Bendall.

Steve Whitehead (21-14 against Jody Bright) led the Banister Park reply with support from John Halliday (22-21 against Colin Parker) but Pirrie stood firm for a confidence-boosting triumph.

Peter Line and Ray Wilkinson stole the show for Atherley.

Line had an outstanding game alongside Chris Hayes, Barry Littlewood and former Woolston stalwart Eddie Rowe to defeat Richard Shelley 27-14 while Wilkinson teamed up with Dave Bishop, Mark Badger and Gary Carter to trim Roy Alford 24-11.

Ray Sutton, back in the Atherley fold after a year's break, crowned his return with a fine display to help Allan Arnaud, Keith Pratt and skip Dave Edmonds overcome Peter Ward 20-16.

The nearest Sports Centre came to a point was on the rink of Colin Thresher who went down just 22-19 to ex-Woolston member Steve Batt, Dennis Durrant, Mike Jeffery and Dave Archibald.

RESULTS:

Championship 1: Atherley 93 (8) Sports Centre 60 (0), Aerostructures 81 (6) Old Green 80 (2), Banister Park 76 (2) Pirrie Park 80 (6), Fleming Park 77 (6) Eastleigh Rail 74 (2).

Championship 2: Brockenhurst 71 (6) Parkside (formerly Pirelli General) 67 (2), Lockswood 98 (8) Woolston 73 (0), Romsey 69 (2) Hedge End 74 (6), Winchester City and Conservative 75 (6) Mayfield Park 73 (2).

Championship 3: BTC 72 (7) Hyde Abbey 64 (1), County 55 (1) Littleton 91 (7), Waterside 99 (7) Hants Police 50 ().

Combination 1: Eastleigh Rail A 73 (6) Sports Centre 45 (1), Fleming Park 70 (5) Eastleigh Rail B 54 (), Waterside 49 (1) Atherley 66 (5), Woolston A 54 (4) Woolston B 51 (2).

Combination 2: Aerostructures 87 (5) Lockswood 35 (1), Banister Park 63 (5) Parkside 50 (1), Old Green 50 (0) Pirrie Park 77 (6).

Combination 3: Atherley 80 (5) Fleming Park 50 (1), Romsey 53 (0) Winchester City and Conservative 78 (6), Sports Centre 67 (5) Banister Park 37 ().

Combination 4: Friary 75 (6) Banister Park 45 (0), Totton & Eling 56 (5) Hedge End 48 (1), Woolston 69 (6) Mayfield Park 49 (0).

Combination 5: Hedge End 63 (1) Eastleigh Rail 69 (5), Meon Valley 66 (5) Hyde Abbey 54 (1), Waterside 54 (5) Pirrie Park 49 (1).

Combination 6: Colden Common 66 (4) Totton & Eling 53 (1), County 62 (5) Old Green 49 (1), Bitterne 67 (4) BTC 58 (2).

Combination 7: Aerostructures 73 (6) Colden Common 47 (0), Meon Valley 63 (6) County 37 (0), Parkside 63 (5) Fleming Park 59 (1).