A big percentage of those shots was made up by the Patrick Smith, Tony Simpson, Nathan Poke, Geoff Williams rink who were always in control against Dean Martin winning by 21 shots 28-7.

At the break Smith was leading 19 to 1 indicating the Eagles played a lot better after.

David Gamble trailed the Tristam Bakes rink for most of the day but finished hard to run out easy 10-shot winners.

Gamble was well supported by Jason Morrisby, Joe Simpson and Jamie Pennington.

Mark Nitz started as he usually does with a seven-shot defeat of Greg Williamson 29-22. It was left to the Eagles’ Mike Higginson, Paul Harker, Nicholas Hamilton, Phillip Rockliff rink to salvage two points for their club.

Ulverstone was another club to begin the season well, scoring on three rinks by seven shots.

All four rinks were reasonably close with the biggest winning margin six shots recorded by the Michael Chilcott, Anthony Sutton, Rocket Horton Steve Aitken rink who made sure that Tim Douce’s return to the North West Coast was a losing one.

Eden Moore held on to defeat Greg Douce 23-21 and Sam McLean finished one to the good against Anthony Johns. Phillip Mundy had Robin Hicks,Tony Maney and Frederick Sheehan for support in their 26-24 shot defeat of Colin Willcox.

Penguin who has a new look team from last season took the honours against Wynyard winning by 17 shots after sharing the rinks.

The leading rink for the Two Blues was the Peter French, Trevor Docking, Alison Venn, Peter Thow rink who doubled their opponent David Groenewege rink winning 32-16. Wayne Manson had nine up his sleeve against Peter Symes

The ever reliable Grant Crowe with help from Peter Ayton, Kerry Moles and Justin Redman defeated new Penguin skip Shane Stanfield 22-15.  

The other winning rink for the Cats was John Neal who snuck in by one against Wriggles Willcox.

In the closest game in Premier League last season’s premiers South Burnie defeated Port Sorell by five shots 100-95 after sharing the rinks.

South’s up and comer Cameron Griffiths defeated Josh Marshall 28-21 to be the biggest rink winner on the day.

Ricki Richardson had to battle hard before finishing two shots ahead of Aaron Jago to give South their two rink wins.

For the Port Luke Marshall had one up his sleeve against Luke Richardson and new skip Rohan Donohue finished four in front of Cameron Windram.

Ladder positions after round 1 are Burnie 12 points, Ulverstone 12, Penguin 10, South Burnie 10, Port Sorell 4, Wynyard 4, Latrobe 2, Devonport Eagles 2.