THE first individual tournament of the new season's calendar, the Charity Handicap, was won by Heswall RBL's Dave McDermott who beat John Harrison of Port Sunlight Village and Works in the final played at Manor Road on Saturday.

To reach the final McDermott had to get the better of two other Birkenhead and Wirral first division players Tixall's Ian Hazlehurst and Gladstone's John Ellis.

While Harrison, who plays in the fourth division of the Birkenhead League, firstly had a fantastic win against one of the best players in the Country, Gladstone's John Finch, in the quarters and he then continued his impressive form when he beat another first division player, Heswall RBL's John Devlin in the semis.

Though McDermott was too strong for Harrison in the final and thoroughly deserved to take the first prize Harrison can take great encouragement from his performances and continue to build on this and his recent form at the Winter Flyers.

Results: Quarter Finals: J. Ellis (Gladstone) 21, L. Sandland (Gladstone) 14; D. McDermott (Heswall RBL) 21, I. Hazlehurst (Tixall) 15; J. Devlin (Heswall RBL)21, N. Burridge (Gladstone) 10; J. Harrison (Port Sunlight Village and Works) 21, J. Finch (Gladstone) 17 . Semi Finals: McDermott 21, Ellis 13; Harrison 21, Devlin 08. Final: McDermott 21, Harrison 17.

There were a very good number of entries for this event and the final was played in sunshine so hopefully these were good omens for the coming season.

Though there have been a few games played already the season really gets under way this week.

Yet again there will be speculation as to which teams will take the top honours.

In the Birkenhead and Wirral first division the unfortunate collapse of the team that had won the league for the past four years,West Kirby Victoria, means that there will definitely be new champions.

Tixall, Gladstone and Heswall RBL are all stronger this year and matches between these teams will be very interesting with Tixall probably the pre season favourites. Good luck to the promoted teams Kings 2000 and Lever 'B' .

West Kirby Victoria are still competing in the Wallaey Association first division but their perennial rivals, New Brighton Queens Royal are stronger and could be favourites to pip them this year.

The first division of the Bebington and District will probably once again be a battle between Gladstone and the Lever Club for the top spot but Oxton Cons, Heswall RBL and Tixall will all be hoping to do a little better than last year.

In the Afternoon Section of the Birkenhead and Wirral League it is difficult to see beyond last year's top teams Heswall RBL and Higher Tranmere Vets though Manor Road finished only just below them and will be hoping to improve.

We all hope that weather wise it will not be as difficult as last year and with the threats of imminent green closures having receded let's hope that this is a happy season for everyone.