The new season started with a rush of action as Darlington's four senior British League teams began the campaign with mixed results.

The major new rule change, all matches now the best of five sets to 11 instead of three to 21, is certainly exciting.

However Darlington will be hoping that the fighting spirit of their youngsters will rub off on their Premier Division side after a dismal opening defeat at the hands of Dulwich Jags.

Darlington number one Fabio Mantegazza missed his return flight back from Milan and the match, and with new signing Shi Guang arriving in England next week, Darlington's weakened side were soon in trouble - Eddie Smith (2), Stove Stater (l) and two doubles successes were all Darlington could manage, losing 9-5.

One crumb of comfort is that Dulwich defeated Darlington in the opening match four years ago, in Darlington's title winning season.

Darlington's other three senior sides travelled to Solihull for the opening four matches of their campaign. The First Division side defeated Norwich 8-0 and Grantham 5-3 and drew 4-4 with both Blackpool and Ormesby.

In the Ormesby game there were two defeats for former Darlington player Keith Rodger, and not even a place in the squad for former Darlington junior Daniel Welsh.

The Second Division side inflicted 6-2 wins over Wellow House Nottingham and Derwent, drew 4-4 with Halton, and lost 5-3 to Uxbridge.

In the Third Division Darlington gave senior debuts to Gary Sangster, and juniors Claire Wilson and Jonathan de Wind. They suffered three defeats but produced a superb fighting display against Dewsbury. At 4-1 down, 14-year-old Andrew Leighton won 12-10 in the fifth set, 11-year-old David Meads followed suit with another 12-10 win over the experienced Yorkshire veteran Chris Stubley, saving an amazing seven match points, and Claire Wilson snatched a draw for the team with another five set victory, 11-6 in the decider against Ian Fothergill.

Darlington's juniors head for Annfield Plain this Sunday for the Durham County Trials where many youngsters will get there first taste of the new scoring system. Durham have added two more teams In the County Championships and Darlington will be hoping to add more names to the long list that have dominated the county squad for the past decade. Local leagues have the choice of adopting the new scoring system or staying with the 21 up rule. A meeting will be held on Monday at the RA club in Brinkburn Road where teams will vote on the system.

Premier League results: OLOP Kingfisher I 2, London Progress I 12; Wellow House School I 2, Barnet I 3; Byng Hall Farningham Print I 5, Batts Team Penial I 9; Darlington I 5, JAGS I 9.