Their Winter competition was abandoned due to Covid-19 restrictions and the current competition will be played under safe social distancing protocols.

Smashes began like they had never been away, and stunned Choppers by winning the first four rubbers by a combined eight games to one.

Choppers slowed the onslaught momentarily to get back to 9-3 down but Smashes held firm from there and rumbled to a 16-7 victory.

Mark McAulay and Matt Kappos shared the night's best record, both going 6-1 for Smashes, while Shane Eagle went the distance at 4-5.

All of the Choppers side struggled on their return, as Pauline Wellfare and Peter Jaccoud returned 3-5 marks and Riza Wiradi 1-6.

The other match started in a similar vein, Grippers breaking from the blocks against Charolais to take the first four rubbers for an 8-3 lead.

Grippers went further ahead at 11-5 and looked set to register a comfortable win.

Charolais found their feet, and a 6-1 run to finish the singles put them down only 12-11 with the two doubles to come

Grippers steadied though, and won both doubles 2-0 to ease home, 16-11.

A solid team effort from Grippers saw Denis Ford finish 4-2, Roy Barlow 5-4, and Lou Kappos 3-5.

Sean Jenkins (5-3) was the only Charolais member to get his nose in front, with Leon Rust returning 3-4 and Sharnie Roberts 3-5.

Pointscore: Grippers 4, Smashes 4, Charolais 0, Choppers 0.

This Week's Matches: Round 2; Charolais v Smashes. Grippers v Choppers.

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