THE 2004 Estellevillas.com Youth and Junior Bowls League got off to a terrific start in its new format on Saturday with the town's up and coming stars flocking to the Orford Park greens.

This year's competition is for individuals, rather than teams, across three different age groups.

In the opening matches of the youth league for 12 to 17-year-olds last year's champion Danny Watson was paired against last year's junior champion Mike Holton.

The five-chalk handicap start that Danny had to give Mike proved too much with Mike winning the game 21-19.

Lee Bailey was another player who was in top form as he won both of his opening matches.

The opening games in the junior league for eight to 12-year-olds also produced some terrific first games.

Louise Sullivan gained a narrow 21-19 victory over Harriet Ellison, Daniel Parker recorded an impressive 21-17 win against Nathan Roberts and Michael Bishop had an end to end battle against Daniel Bennett before running out a 21-17 winner.

The latest bunch of the town's cadet players, under the age of eight, were given tuition in the art of playing bowls by a team of coaches and instructors from the British Crown Green Bowls Association.

This Saturday brings the start of the cadet league at Orford Park.