MOBY Dick’s Bears opened the defence of the Swift Signs Division One title with a four-wicket win over New Look.

Dave Mansbridge (29) was the only New Look batsman to reach double figures as they were restricted to 76-7 from their 16 overs.

The Bears’ bowlers proved hard to get away, especially Jim Ryall, whose four overs yielded only six runs, and skipper Laurie Whyte, who captured the key wickets of Ulhaq and Chatterton.

Paul Payne’s unbeaten 49 completed the Bears’ successful run chase despite wickets falling at regular intervals.

The win was secured with two balls to spare.

Budmouth also started their season with a win.

Dave Baney’s knock of 55 not out proved the difference between the sides after the Lugger had set a challenging target of 111-5 from 16 overs.

Andy Jarvis (26) and Chris Skinner (25) laid the foundations for their innings, though openers Moxom (1-15) and Morley (1-17) made scoring difficult, until they were able to attack the change bowlers, aided by a cameo 19 from Sam Polley.

In reply, Moxom (22) then Morley (22no), supported by Baney, sealed the points with an over remaining.

Portland Red Triangle’s return to the top-flight was dealt a blow as Saggies left Reforne with a 50-run victory.

Ben Doidge hit a powerful 67, as the Triangle bowlers struggled to tie him down, before Kieron Womble (21) and Ian Hutchison (17) added vital contributions as Saggies set an imposing 133-3.

Olly Whisker (26) and Callan Laws’ (32) second-wicket partnership looked to have Triangle on course, but their dismissals saw the islanders collapse to 83-8 with Simon Browne (3-18) and John Ryan (3-11) doing the damage.

The Albany Cavaliers scraped to a one-run win over Cosmos in a thrilling opening to their Division Two campaign.

Batting first, the Cavaliers got off to a solid start with two half chances given by Phil Eaton, but not taken, despite some excellent Cosmos fielding.

Eaton went on to score an unbeaten 48, though he was never quite able to get on top of tight bowling, particularly from Brown’s four overs (3-11).

Cosmos’ reply got off to a good start with Keane (32no) and Hodges (23) putting on 48 for the first wicket, which kept them up with the run rate.

However, Hodges was then bowled by Ellis (2-35) before a run out and a further wicket saw Cosmos start to struggle.

Burdett (28no) settled the ship and almost got Cosmos over the line, but in failing light a tight last over from Ashad (1-18) proved the difference.

Southill Snooker Club notched up a convincing win over the Portland Arms at All Saints.

Tight bowling by all Southill’s attack, but especially James Dunham and Derek Legg, who both went for just eight runs from their four-over spells, restricted the Arms to 55-5 from 16 overs.

Darrell Farley (25no) top scored.

Southill were made to work for their win, as the Arms’ Simon Davies proved just as frugal as his four overs went for eight, but Fowler (34no) and Hallett (15no) recovered from the early loss of Dunham, to guide them home in the 13th over.

Division One Moby Dick’s Bears 79-6 (P Payne 49no, R Cole 2-20) beat New Look 76-7 (D Mansbridge 29, L Whyte 2-18, W Trevett 2-19) by 4 wickets.

Budmouth 112-2 (D Baney 55no, P Morley 22no, P Moxom 22, J Dixon 1-31) beat The Lugger 111-5 (A Jarvis 26, C Skinner 25, Bullock 2-28) by 8 wickets.

Saggies 133-3 (B Doidge 67, K Womble 21, R Samuel 2-33) beat Portland Red Triangle 83-8 (C Laws 32, O Whisker 26, J Ryan 3-11, S Browne 3-18) by 50 runs.

Division Two Albany Cavaliers 106-4 (P Eaton 48no, White 28, M Brown 3-11) beat Cosmos 105-5 (B Keane 32, R Burdett 28no, R Hodges 23, N Ellis 2-35) by 1 run.

Southill Snooker Club 56-1 (A Fowler 34, S Browne 1-7) beat the Royal Portland Arms 55-5 (D Farley 25no, N Robins 2-17) by 9 wickets.

George Inn v Wessex Gasworks – match postponed.

Week Three fixtures

Swift Signs Division One – Monday: Saggies v New Look (Redlands, pitch 3), Portland RT v The Lugger (PRT), Moby Dicks Bears v Budmouth (Redlands, pitch 2).

Swift Signs Division Two – Tuesday: Cosmos v George Inn (Redlands, pitch 2), Wessex Gasworks v Portland Arms (Redlands, pitch 3), Southill Snooker Club v Albany Cavaliers (Budmouth).