Last year’s losers stunned opponents, the Babychams, during Friday night’s opening round by going into the lead with just three ends to go.

Even more shocking was the fact that they achieved this with a count of four.

Rumour has it that Southern new boy Kenny Paterson was sacked after the game for bowling too well in his first outing. Skip Bob Burgess was unable to comment.

Any hopes the greenside bookies held of an upset were soon diminished, however, as the Babychams rallied and pulled off a two and a four in the final two ends.

All other ties were close also, with the Tory Club landing the top spot on points for, with their 14-12 victory over the Merchant Company.

Results: Southern Reporter 9 Babychams 11; Merchant Company 12 Tory Club 14; Fleece 13 Town Arms 11; Masons 12 Ex-Standard Bearers 11.

Week Two fixtures: Merchant Company v Town Arms; Fleece v Southern Reporter; Ex-Standard Bearers v Tory Club; Babychams v Masons.