Defending champions Rowe's Strikers made a winning start in the 2013 Wray & Nephew White Overproof Rum skittles competition on Sunday when they defeated Waltham Strikers 8-3 in their opening-round premier league match at Bourbon House, 133 Windward Road, east Kingston.

In other opening-round matches played at the venue, Eastern All-Stars came from 3-5 down to beat former champions, Eagles, 6-5. Both teams were locked at 5-5 after Leslie 'Toothpick' Puranda tied up the scores for Eastern with a victory over Clive Woolery. But Eagles had to forfeit the last game having gone into the match one player short.

In a third Premier League match, Starliner defeated Mr C 'B' 6-5 (6-2).

In major league action, The Dip from Gregory Park welcomed their return to competitive skittles with a 7-4 win over Mister C 'A', while Olympic Strikers beat Mystix 6-5.

Matches scheduled for tomorrow's second round are as follows: Mystix vs Mister C 'A' in a major league encounter at Rowe's Strikers Club, Molynes Road, starting at 2 p.m. In the second match at 5, home team Rowe's Strikers will oppose Mister C 'B'.

At The Dip, Eastern All Stars will oppose Starliner at 2 p.m., while The Dip will face Mercury at 5. Waltham will play Eagles at Waltham Park Road.

- O.C.