Martin Siese, rapidly emerging as one of the Island's premier sailors, maintained the consistency he had shown in previous weeks to run away from the rest of the fleet contesting the International One Design (IOD) class and claim the John Bluck Memorial Trophy.

In the absence of IOD world champion Peter Bromby and Penny Simmons, who would normally be expected to give a stern challenge, Siese had his way, registering a first and second place for an overall points total of 11.

In stark contrast, his nearest rival Christian Luthi was erratic, combining an eighth in the day's first race followed by a top placing the next time out.

Luthi garnered 283 points in all, but with a bit more stability throughout the series he might have been even closer to Siese. Rick Thompson wound up third on 32 points.

Tim Patton reaffirmed himself as king among the Etchells, taking the Elvstrom Bowl in the process.

After discarding the two worst finishes, Patton had 133 points, more than 12 ahead of the second-placed duo of Tony Knapp and John Thompson. Jack Outerbridge was a further one-and-a-half points back on 30.

Even a disqualification could not impede Michael Emery's march to the Berry Bowl for the J-24s. He was first a remarkable seven out of 10 races in the series, accumulating 131 points.

From the outset, the battle was for second and John Musson, who had a tenuous three-quarters of a point advantage over Teresa Chatfield entering the final two races, was able to hold on for second. Musson finished on 22 points to Chatfield's 253 .

In a shortened series for Luders, Mark Rowe grabbed the top spot (71 points), followed by Dan Bucher (103 ) and Summers Hughes (123 ).

HARNESS RACING RAH On a newly-surfaced track at Vesey Street, the first harness pony programme of the season saw some incredibly exciting races.

As expected, Nateway won both his heats in 1:09/4 and 1:09/3, which is just one second off the track record.

The new pony/driver combination of Catch A Fire and Ed Matthews showed a glimmer of what they can really do. In a four-pony race, he started the first heat in the fourth hole and passed every one to win in 1:16/2. In his second heat, Catch A Fire started in the first hole and won in an incredible 1:12/4, beating the new pony, Fairway Debutant who clocked 1:16/1, L&S Motweon Scott (1:14/2) and Charger's Rob Roy. Catch A Fire will now jump two time bars into the junior free-for-all.

Charles Whithead, driving, Spencer's Taylor Maid won both his heats in 1:22/2 and 1:21/4. This was the first time out for the two-year-old Taylor and she beat veteran Creed's Little Miss, driven by new driver Antony Rego and Francis DeSilva, driving new pony Penny's Rocky Road.

The 17 to 19/4 bar saw Sandtrap, with Sydney DeSilva, win the first heat in 1:16/1 to just pip J.B.'s T.W. Bell at the wire. The second heat had an exciting finish writh V Six, Sandtrap and T.W. Bell all crossing the line witha nose of each other. The win was given to V Six and Eddie Roque.

The junior free-for-all saw Daniel Greenslade, the club's youngest driver, lead Hoe Down Don to victory in both heats. After two bad starts, Little dinger, with Annie Sousa, made up a lot of ground but just got beaten by Sandacre Tashiba and Eddie Skater in both races.

The next race day is Saturday at 5 p.m.

SOFTBALL SOF Continental Casualties, Social Club Blue Sox and Flying Chef all won their opening softball play-off championship matches on Saturday at Bernard Park.

Continental beat PM 18-12 after leading 13-4 in the sixth inning. They went even further ahead in the top half of the seventh before the PM bats came alive in their half of the seventh, scoring eight runs off nine hits. But the rally came too late as Con-Cas hung on to take a 1-0 lead in the series. Game two is tonight at 8.00.

The winners scored their 18 runs off 20 hits while PM's 12 runs came off 17 hits. Craig Prall went four-for-five while Pat Peresse went two-for-three and Andy Cook two-for-four. Peresse hit a home run and three RBI while Cook had a homer and two RBI.

For PM, John Ray and Richard Davage both had perfect three-for-three's while Jonathan Smith went three-for-four from a home run and three RBI. Ray also had a homer and three RBI. Nigel Godfrey was the winning pitcher while Ed Frey suffered the loss.

Blue Sox beat Hornets 7-2, after trailing 1-0 for three innings. Blue Sox then went ahead in the fourth when they rallied for three runs off two hits. Three more runs off three hits in the sixth put the game in the bag. Game two is tonight at 9.30.

The winning RBI came from Dean Williams' sacrifice fly in the fourth that scored Rich Stevens from third base.

Braxton Stowe went two-for-three for the winners while for Hornets Harold Minors and Austin John both went two-for-four. Robert Dill, with three strikeouts, got the win while Elliott Perinchief (two strikeouts) was the loser.

Flying Chef edged by Bud 13-12, after coming from behind in the fifth when they rallied for six runs off four hits to tied up the game at 11-11. Two more runs in the sixth with two out gave them a two-run lead.

Bud scored one run and had the tying run on base when Chef pulled off a double play by shortstop Rob Mason.

Grant Sousa (three-for-four), Donnie Moniz (two-for-four) and Rick Olsen (two-for-three) were the top batters for Flying Chef while Chris Knight (three-for-four), Dave Beagle (two-for-four) and Raleigh Stoker (three-for-three) led Bud. Olsen was the winning pitcher while Mike Byrom suffered the loss.

Game two was scheduled for last night.

CRICKET CRI The following players have been chosen for the All-Star squad from which two teams will be selected to represent Shell and the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control in the final match of the Shell Youth Tournament on Saturday.

Jahmiko Marshall, Clevon Hill, Omar Allen, Lonairo Simmfons (Nationals); Scott Tucker, Chris Foggo, Rudell Pritcher, Cameron Fox (St. David's); Dean Stephens, Dawud Tucker, Damon Francis (Southampton); Maurice Lowe, Justin Robinson, Malcolm Woodley (Western Stars); Jeremy Swan, Gavin Woolridge, Winston Paynter (Cleveland); Dennis Zuill, Naeem Hunt, Wolde Place (Flatts); Michael Donawa, Damon Thompson, Raun Warner (Somerset); Shawn York, Kevin Tucker, Shannon Smith (Warwick/Paget).

The teams will be announced later as will be the venue. The Shell XI will be managed by Allan Douglas, assisted by Derek Hurdle and Gerald Fubler with Mike Jones, Wesley Scraders and Randy Raynor responsible for the BCBC XI.

Senior officers of the Bermuda Police beat the Bermuda Bar Association by six wickets in their annual match on Saturday at Police field.

Scores: Bermuda Bar 90 (29.1 overs), Police 95-4 (17 overs).

Paul King led the Bermuda Bar team with 54 not out, coming in at number seven while Andrew Whalley was the only other batsman in double figures with 11.

Man-of-the-match Wendell Bridgeman claimed three for 15 and Larry Smith three for 30 to lead the Police bowling. Bridgeman then hit 32 as he shared in a first-wicket stand of 34 with Smith who scored 10. Oliver Bain hit 27 not out as Police romped to an easy victory.

N.Voeden claimed two for 27 while Willy Bourne and Shawn Tucker both took one wicket each.

The 30 overs per side match was played for the Ronald Bernard Trophy.

All persons interested in travelling with the Somerset Cricket Club group to next year's Test matches in Barbados and Antigua are urged to attend a meeting at the club tomorrow at 8 p.m.

DARTS DRT Defending champions BAA still look to be the team to beat after they travelled to St. George's II and came away with a 5-2 victory in the season opener of the Bermuda Ladies Darts League.

RAA, who should give BAA their toughest challenge, were at home to Police East and won 6-1.

Mariners were at home to St. George's I and went down 1-6 with this win putting St. George's in a tie with RAA with six wins.

BPSA were at home to East End Mini Yacht Club and went down 2-5.

Hamilton Parish opened their season with a 5-2 home win over SPBC, winning both doubles while the trebles and 1001 were won by Spanish Point.

Next week's schedule: RAA v BPSA; Police East v Hamilton Parish; BAA v SPBC; St. George's I v St. George's II; EEMYC v Mariners. Spectators are welcome.

ATHLETICS ATH The Bermuda Pacers Track Club will hold a training session at National Stadium today (4.30 p.m.).