brushing aside the challenge of Cardinals.

The opening salvo was fired on six minutes when Cath Griffiths, who had an excellent game at centre-forward, fired in a penalty stroke. Griffiths doubled the lead moments afterwards with a well taken shot, before Maria Pichery reduced the arrears.

Swallows continued to pressure and Griffiths soon completed her hat-trick and Shelly Clement made it 4-1 with her first as a member of the side.

Cardinals fought back bravely, with Laura Bardgett and Pichery breaking through for scores, but the deal was sealed as Kirsty Kelly and Griffiths added goals.

Cardinals B 0 Swallows B 2 Both teams kicked off the new season with reduced squads and, with umpires tighter with their calling, the match was not very free-flowing.

Cardinals blew an early opportunity to take the lead when Cath Griffiths saved a penalty flick.

Spurred by Griffiths heroics, Swallows responded with intense pressure, leading to a pair of penalty flicks being awarded, both converted by Griffiths.

Bluebirds A 0 Canaries A 4 Canaries started off strongly and so did they finish as Michelle Ming scored twice, while Rhonda Rawlins and Emma Simmons had one apiece.

Bluebirds B 1 Canaries B 1 An evenly contested affair ended just that, as Bluebirds snatched a second-half equaliser.

Swifts B 4 Orioles B 1 Orioles were made to suffer for showing up with just an eight-member squad, Swifts showing little mercy as they dominated this affair.

Mandy Oliver opened the scoring for Swifts, and was followed onto the scoresheet by Erica Frith, Lucie Hollis and Cathie Hay. Georgie Adlam was the lone scorer for Orioles.

BOWLING BOW As the new season continues to unfurl, so does the Miller High Life League build in excitement.

Recent action at Warwick Lanes saw Cellular Centre defeat Team Metro 19-11.

Woody Jones led the way for the victors with a third high series of 658, enabling Cellular to post a 1000 and 2862 team game and series respectively.

The night's seconds encounter had Team Unsponsored cruise into the top slot behind a 25-5 pasting of Genuine Draft.

Antoine Jones headed the all-star cast that is Unsponsored with a 255 game, high for the night, and a 680 series. he was ably assisted by newcomer Raymond Glasford's 655 series and a 611 from Steven Riley.

Oscar Andrade headed the challenge of Genuine Draft, taking two points from Dean Lightbourn, enduring a rare off night.

Haagen-Daz rolled over Magnum Force 21-9, as Mike McCallum paced the winners with a 684 series, JC Travel rebound to defeat New Mix Ups 19-11, and Thompsons downed Team Electric 20-10.