TROWBRIDGE LEAGUE: PAUL Bendell delivered the first hat-trick of the new Premier Global Ltd-sponsored Trowbridge League season which produced an unbeaten start for newly promoted sides and all five new teams.

The Broughton Gifford marksman scored twice in a sensational four-goal start in the opening 10 minutes against relegation-reprieved Dursley Arms. Shaun Daniels replied to another home goal by Chris Stiles.

After the break Stiles, the league's top scorer last season, Bendell, Neil Willcox and Simon Lunt scored to take Gifford to a 7-1 victory.

That emphatic start immediately gave the former champions an advantage over arch-rivals Castle Combe, who ended Gifford's five-year title reign in the final match last season.

In the day's big shock, the new champions were held 0-0 on their own ground by Seend United who conceded a 4-0 league double to Combe last term. To add to Combe's worries Daniel Gernonn received his marching orders.

Frome Town Sports who, as Frome Sportshouse finished third last season, indicated their challenge to the big two with a 4-0 second half win over Bradford Sports. Following an own goal, Richard Hudson celebrated with a debut goal and Paul Dean and Damien Edwards completed the victory.

At Heytesbury, Darren Elloway cracked open the Blue Circle defence but Liam Williams equalised before the break in a 1-1 draw.

Freshford's marksman Robin Walker returned from Dursley Arms to hit both goals in the 2-2 stalemate with The Deverills. Aaron Stevens equalised Walker's opening strike before Greg Lewis capitalised on a goalkeeping error to put Deverills ahead after the break. Another goalkeeping mistake at the other end allowed Walker to level.

In Division Two, Hilperton United, beaten twice by Rowde Sports last season, hit back three times before surviving a late missed penalty by the visitors to pick up a point in a 3-3 draw. Stuart Beaven (penalty), Lee Sanders and James Webb restored Rowde's lead after Steve Iven, Ross Pike and Jamie Allford had wiped out the advantage each time.

In the first of three successive meetings, Rudloe and Broughton Gifford Reserves fought out a 2-2 draw, which included two penalties and a last-minute dismissal for Gifford's Brian Hook.

Jason Dick's penalty put Rudloe ahead before Luke Dennis was also spot on for Gifford. Richard Moules gave the visitors the lead only for Jason Cole to level matters again.

Goals from Jamie Parmley, Martin Little (2) and Jamie Hibbs swept Westbury United A to a 4-0 success at Lavington and Easterton, while Deverills Reserves emerged 4-2 winners at Steeple Ashton where Guy Rowley gave the home side the lead.

By the break Deverills had hit back to score four through Graeme Byfield, Ryan Haste (an own goal) and Paul Clarke. Rowley claimed a second goal on the hour for Ashton.

In Division Three, Seend United Reserves and Hilperton United Reserves, who recorded 15 goals in two meetings last season, finished level on 3-3, Seend's Julian Putt, Rob O'Harrow and Fosu Gharban replying to goals from Neil Lacey (2) and Chris Benton.

The highest-scoring draw of the day was produced by two of the newcomers Trowbridge United, who have close links with Trowbridge Town, and Frome Town Sports A. United fought back from a goal down to lead 3-1 before the advantage was wiped out. Twice more United went ahead only for Frome to reply on both occasions in a remarkable 5-5 game.

Brothers Lee and Dean Murden hit doubles for United, who also benefited from an own goal. Richard Stradling and Andy Mitchell also notched two apiece for Frome with Henry Ogunyemi their other scorer.

North Bradley Saints came marching in from the Bath and District League with an impressive four goal first half performance that led to a 5-1 victory over Apetito, who owed much to goalkeeper Liam Newble's outstanding display.

Former Trowbridge Town star Brent Murden was always a threat up front, laying on two of the goals and scoring one. Carl Davies netted inside three minutes with Murden scoring number two before two free kicks from Craig Brown put Saints in control before the break. Apetito, who had substitute Nigel Penelhum's 40 minute effort disallowed, had their second half chances, Penelhum and Ross Pugh missing out before the latter lobbed goalkeeper Gary Brooks in reply to Richard Bliha's 64th-minute fifth goal for Saints.

Andy Brown's 50-yard second half free kick sent The Stiffs on their way to a 2-1 success over Bromham Reserves, Pete Stephenson adding a superb second before a goalkeeping clanger enabled Duncan Biggin to narrow the deficit.

Warminster Town Reserves won 3-1 by taking charge of their home debut against Castle Combe Reserves. First half goals came from Wayne Melvin and Jamie McGuckian. Anthony Hall made it 3-0 before Shaun House clinched Combe a consolation.

Dynamo West End were unable to raise a side for their Division Two opener against Bratton.