THE Afternoon Open League is underway at Wellington Bowling Club and, despite being only the second week, eight teams are already fighting it out for the top places in the division.

Last year's champions the Trailblazers won their match against the Blackbirds but only after a closely fought battle.

Hopefuls managed a good win against Yzeds to move into second place in the division so Blackbirds slipped into third place. Badgers grabbed fourth with a comfortable victory over Demons.

Ninchers won against a strong Eagles side to take fifth place.

Steve Bradnum, Marguerite Nichols, Angie Moore and Bill Warnett's Trailblazers were in trouble at the start of their game. Liz May, Simon Spalding, Tony Weston and Alan May's Blackbirds were leading 8 – 0 after five ends. The Trailblazers came back at them and with one to play the teams were level on 9 each. Trailblazers then picked up the vital two shots to win it 11 – 9.

Wendy Scott, Alan Mark, Steve Horrill and Darren Sparks' Hopefuls got off to an early lead against Ian Lloyd, Diana Dagg, Rosemary Small and Tony Stone's Yzeds and they held on to win a competitive battle 13 – 6.

Brian Wombwell, Pat Bridger, David Bridger and Shirley Samuel's Badgers moved into third place after a comfortable victory over Reg Deem, Monica Waite, Kevin Austin and Ernie Windsor's Demons by 20 shots to 8.

The Eagles have done very well in past seasons but when Sue Channon, Roger Murphy, Ken Brown and Nick Channon's Eagles team came up against Ray White, Martin Beed, Vera White and Phil Harris' Ninchers they found they had a big fight on their hands. They were 9 – 2 down at the halfway point and although they came back strongly the Ninchers won it 14 – 9.