The defending premiers, Phoenix Flames, showed signs of their championship-winning form with a 30-3 trouncing of Laurieton side, the Indians.

The Flames’ win came despite the loss of two star players and game breakers, Rebecca Shakespeare and Courtney Owen, who have switched clubs and left town respectively.

However, the Flames have been recruiting in the off season and are strengthened by the addition of former Phoenix Black short-stop Renee Mason.

TheFlames also picked up experienced campaigner Belinda Bouzas from Dubbo.

The Flames’ clubmates relished success on the other diamonds. The newly named Phoenix Finnians side (formerly Phoenix Black) proved they were competition contenders yet again with a massive 20-2 win over Manning Valley Kakadu.

This season’s Phoenix Finnians outfit is tipped the one to beat in 2008-09 with some of the local game’s best crossing over to the Port side.

Former Wauchope Warriors’ catcher Nikki Lowe resumed her position behind the plate with Phoenix Finnians and earned her place in the first outing with several big three-base hits.

Kakadu struggled to hit the pitches of Peita Morris, who came to the Phoenix club when her side Red Barons folded last season. And, Xanthe Ayton made her big comeback after a season out of the game with a convincing performance at first base and with the bat.

Phoenix Settlers (formerly Phoenix White) completed the treble with a 15-2 win over the Wauchope Warriors.

The Settlers are fielding some familiar faces this season in Lea Smith, Sharon Smith, Rebecca Elford, and Kylie Hunt.

Returning to the Settlers ranks after a break from softball are Tash Swain, Fiona Thompson, Kristy Channels and Tania Smith, while Rebecca Shakespeare has made the move to boost the side.

In Saturday’s fourth game at Findlay Park, Laurieton side Magpies beat Wauchope’s Hornets 15-6.

Softball patron Daphne Johnston was on hand to support the day’s proceedings and, as she has done for many years, threw the first pitch to open the season.

A full preview of round 2 and the weekend draw will

appear in Friday’s Port News