SOUTHBOURNE and Electric - both relegated last year - made flying starts in their quests to bounce back immediately to the top flight, reports David Briers.

Southbourne stole the Section Two show with a 14-0 (88-58) demolition of Branksome Park B. Bob Read, Keith Aldridge, Jim Hesford and Peter Dawson (23-14) topped the scorechart.

Led by Brian McCoy, Paul Potter, Barry Blake and Dave Hart (38-10), Electric gave a 12-2 (96-69) thrashing to Christ-church whose lone reply came through Richard Reeks, Ron Woodcock, Roley Saunderson and Ken Dean (18-15).

After such notable first-day successes, something must give this Saturday when Electric entertain Southbourne.

Knyveton Gardens, who missed out on promotion in that agonising finish to last season, overcame Iford Bridge 10-4 (78-61). Geoff Kay, Dave Swindells, Tony Davis and Gary Hawes (20-8) were the pick of the Knyveton rinks while Tom Warrick, Robin Rutty, Dennis Rosam and John Smith (26-24) gained one of Iford's two slender wins.

Last summer's Section Three champions King's Park crumbled 12-2 (83-65) at Wessex where Wilf Scott, Tom Benson, Bob Steffe and Chris Howard (25-14) did the damage. Noel Pennington, Mike Smith, Colin Proctor and Wilf Bennett (19-17) were the King's aces.

A rousing 34-11 display by Ian Cameron, Ray Southgate, Peter Lloyd and Alan Keyworth steered Braeside to their 10-pointer (94-73) against New Milton who were propped up by Paul Willis, Peter Kearsey, Bob Burns and Peter Wooler (28-18).

Runaway Section Six winners Fordingbridge looked equally at home in Section Five as they hammered West Moors Memor-ial A 12-2 (84-60). Colin Ives, Des Jarvis, Roy Moretti and Derek Purse (27-12) sparkled in the 'Bridge pack with Frank Billett, Richard Rogers, Mike Briggs and Ted Fay (20-12) sparing the West Moors' blushes.

Promoted Ferndown A had first-day delight as well, Geoff Percival, Eric Baker, John Oakley and Dixie Dean (33-4) dazzling in the 10-4 (76-64) victory over Iford Bridge A whose sharpest rink consisted of Messrs Millet, Stainer, Farrant and skip Trevor Ross (26-13).

Alan Barfield, Jim Donaldson, Sam Randle and Vic Bailey (27-9) were the cream in Milford's 14-0 (84-58) whitewash of Ringwood A and Seton Smith, Dennis Winfield, Peter Morgan and Colin Jay (19-10) thrived during Argyll A's 12-2 (82-66) defeat of Redhill Park A whose saving grace was the quartet of Ivor Hunt, Derek Savage, Kevin Saunders and Dave Wood (19-18).

Still no joy for Poole Park B. Relegated last year they were pipped 10-4 (64-62) at Branksome Park B where Malcolm Adamson, Wally Barker, a fit-again John Freeborn and John Roberts (24-8) came up trumps. Poole's best were Stephen Denison, Mike Dennison, Ray Pugh and Euan Coffin (23-8).

Newcomer Charlie Moore, Brian Openshaw, Brian Spar-rowhawk and Roy Pearce (25-10) guaranteed Pelhams A a successful start 10-4 (77-74) in Section Six against Swanmore A who had the largest rink win of the fixture thanks to Geoff Chandler, Ken Wickings, John Hillesdon and Ron Prigg (25-9).

Lymington A finished level 69-69 on shots but lost 8-6 on points to New Milton B. David Burden, Peter Elson, Don Edwards and Vic Johnson (21-14) were the Milton marvels but Edgar Pettett, John Hall, Ron Burchell and Mike Hayward (23-14) fared even better for the hosts.

Ralph Harris, John McIntyre, Jeff Link and Ken Hoare's 27-15 win set West Moors Memorial B on the right path (12-2, 87-67) against Boscombe Cliff B whose riposte was from Maurice Wheat, Dennis Poole, Dave Fiel-ding and Derek Francis (23-17).

Ron Hawkins, Keith Day, Ken Tuck and Peter Laycock (26-15) proved the difference in Highcliffe's 10-4 (78-73) beating of Southbourne B. Derek Wiggins, Peter Gower, John Baillie and Jack Warham (19-15) spearheaded the Southbourne effort.