WORCESTER Badminton League Division One began with the top two from last season each losing 3-0 to newly-promoted players.

Champion Chris Alexander fell to Oli Shier and runner-up Jeremy Swift was beaten by Neil Darwell.

Then Darwell followed up his victory with a 3-0 win over Dean Hardie but the two maximum-points triumphs were enough only for second place.

Monirul Islam, another player promoted, swept to three 3-0 victories over Hardie, Swift and Steve Turberfield.

Hardie defeated Swift 2-1 to move into third place above Shier and Swift.

First place in Division Two looks settled already as Ganesh Pillai stormed to six straight victories.

Only Kashif Ali was able to take a game from him with the other five results being 3-0.

Steve Wilson is in a distant second place thanks to wins over Maria Harrison 2-1 and Tim Westwood 3-0.

Kashif’s 3-0 win over Harrison helped him into third place.

Both Divisions Three and Four have proved to be quiet so far.

Division Five is topped by Craig Burns, who defeated Ben Moughan 3-0.

Pillai tops the Superleague followed by Islam and Darwell.

The season ends on May 12.

The league welcomes players of all standards and new members can begin matches immediately.

More details are available at badmintonworcester.org.uk/league.