Sunday's first day of play saw last year's Division One finalist, Colin Alexander, dispatch Edwin Wickham 15-9, 15-13, 15-10.

Alexander next meets Chris Ward who ousted Mike Scutts 15-6, 15-9, 15-14.

In Division Two, 1997 winner Eddie Redmond fought hard to overcome the challenge of up and coming junior Simon Haworth, edging through to the next round 15-9, 14-15, 15-11, 15-8. Redmond now faces Tim Counsell who came out on top against Anita Yates, 15-11, 7-15, 15-12, 15-12.

The Counsells, mother and son, completed a family treble by winning their matches also. Geralyn won a nail-biting marathon against Glenn Yellond in Division Three, 10-15, 7-15, 15-13, 15-13, 15-10, while son Graham downed Laura Robinson in the Junior Division 15-4, 15-9, 15-6.

Play continues throughout this week with matches from 4.00 to 10.00 p.m. The finals take place on Saturday from 6.00 p.m.