Yet another season got under way this week in the Ormskirk & District Amateur Snooker League. The top Division contains thirteen teams and the merit league will also run alongside the usual proceedings with each team receiving a points handicap. First and second at the end of the season will each receive a trophy. The updated league table for this can be found every week after the First Division report.

This week saw Defending Champions, Southport Conservative Club, get off to a very solid start in their quest for a wonderful, record-breaking sixth consecutive Division One crown with a 4-2 triumph over Maghull RBL A. The result was even more impressive as they found themselves 2-0 down early in the contest. The match also saw Maghull A's Chris Connolly in fine early season form with a nice break of 38 in his frame success.

Olympic BC B, formerly Crosby Village SC but moved to the Walton club after the closure of the Crosby club, and runners-up in their first five campaigns in our league and certainly looking to go one better this time around, started their season in excellent form with a 5-1 victory over Rainford X SSC and this outcome sees them joint top of the league standings at this very early stage. This match saw Olympic B's Tommy Stevenson in top nick with a superb break of 48 in his frame win and this was enough to earn him the first 'Break of the Week' accolade of the campaign.

Tommy's break came later in the frame as he held a very healthy advantage and with six reds of the frame remaining he potted a fine opening red to gain ideal black ball position. After dispatching that black, Tommy potted a further five reds, all with high valued colours to take this fine contribution to 43. Tommy was not quite perfect on the yellow ball but still produced a fine pot but left an awkward pot on the green ball. Unfortunately, Tommy narrowly missed the green to bring an end to the break on 48.

Tommy began playing in the Ormskirk League at the beginning of last season and has become an important member of the Olympic BC B squad and he finished in a tremendous third place last term in the Division One Player Ranking table with a terrific twenty one wins from his twenty four matches played, a magnificent effort!

Aughton Institute A, last season's Merit League runners-up after a very good season, also began with an excellent result as they defeated their opponents Scarisbrick NSC 5-1, to be the other side who jointly hold the very early lead. Aughton A's Graham Russell was in top form with a well constructed break of 37 in his frame success.

Aughton Institute E started their campaign on a winning note with a 4-2 away victory over Skelmersdale Wardens A to lie in co-third position in the league table and will be looking to have a better season this time around.

Upholland Social, last season's superb Merit League Champions and an excellent sixth place finish in the normal standings, got off to a disappointing start with a 4-2 reversal at the hands of Olympic BC A. The Walton outfit will be delighted with their result and it sees them in co-third spot in the standings.

The other match played this week saw Maghull RBL B record a terrific 4-2 away victory over Stanley Club A to be the fourth team to lie in co-third position in the league table and they will be looking to improve on last season's performance.

St Cuthberts sat out their free week this time around.

Other notable breaks this week were – G Hibbott (Southport Conservative Club) 37 &
P Williams (Olympic BC B) 32 & 31.

I will start writing a brief report of the Merit League standings after week three when the standings start to take a little shape.

Division 2

This week saw the Second Division commence with eight teams competing and each side will play each opponent on four occasions for a twenty eight match season.

Aughton Institute C become the very early pace-setters as they recorded a superb 5-1 triumph over club compatriots and last season's runners-up, Aughton Institute D and will certainly be looking to improve on their fourth place finish last term.

Skelmersdale Wardens B got of to an excellent winning start with a very solid 4-2 victory at the expense of last season's Champions, Stanley Club B to lie in second position at this very early stage.

The other match played this week in Division Two saw the two cup winners from last term clash in Farmers Club, who captured the Le Rose Cup & Skelmersdale Wardens C, who sealed Kenney Cup glory earlier in the campaign, and they shared the spoils with a 3-3 draw to sit in joint third spot in the league standings.

The match between Aughton Institute B and Stanley Club C was postponed due to work and holiday commitments of the Stanley C side.