Feering Bell second's first summer Braintree and District Petanque League campaign got under way with a tough match against reigning BDPL winter champions Chequers PC, of Great Tey.

The Bell triple of Bird, Pearse and Winter started well with two on the first end.

But the Chequers trio of Britt, Herman and Eve then built a 5-2 lead.

Pearse shot out the Chequers' nearest boule on the next end to allow the Bell to point in for three, making it 5-5.

Excellent pointing by Britt put the Chequers back in control and at 10-5, the game seemed to be getting away from the Bell.

However, on the next end, with the Chequers out of boule, Winter displaced the cosh allowing the Bell to point in for four, putting them back in the game. At 11-11 it could have gone either way.

But an excellent point from Bird saw the Chequers use all of their boule, allowing Pearse to point in for the game, 13-11.

This reverse stung the Chequers into action.

In the singles, Britt was quickly 12-0 up against Winter.

A consolation three points were secured before Britt finished with a good 13-3 win.

In the doubles, excellent shooting by Herman saw the Chequers into a 6-0 lead.

On the next end Herman was unfortunate to shoot out his own boule allowing Bird and Pearse to get four, but this was to be their only score as Eve's pointing regained control of the game.

At 9-4 Herman shot out the nearest Bell boule and the Chequers pair pointed in for a well-deserved 13-4 win and secured the match, 2-1.

Winter League runners-up Colne Angel also got off to a good start, with a 2-1 win over Rayne Swan 2.

Rayne Swan 1 defeated local rivals Rayne Cock 1 3-0.

Elsewhere in the Daniel Robinson and Sons-sponsored league, Onley Arms PC from Stisted started well with a 3-0 home win over Rayne Swan 3.