District League season commences this week

That will be one of the key questions as a new campaign begins this week.

The Ahoghill-based side has lifted the title in each of the past three years - four, if you include their previous guise as Ballymena Golf Club 'A' - and will be big favourites to add another championship.

However, it may be a much-changed Towers line-up which takes to the mat in their opening game.

Irish international Sammy Hall has already intimated that he will join Old Bleach, where he holds the position of club president, while a number of other players may yet opt to play their bowls at Jim Baker Stadium.

Other changes in personnel among clubs are also likely in the opening weeks before clubs settle on a regular panel.

That may prove difficult for some teams with many bowlers opting to concentrate on playing for their respective churches in the Ballymena and District Churches League.

One team who have strengthened their panel is Michelin, who look one of the sides best equipped to challenge Towers.

They have added the Wilson family - Graham, Jennifer and children Megan and Michael - formerly of West Church, who join a fifth Wilson family member Christopher at the Woodside Road team, although Christopher is unlikely to play much due to an imminent move to Aberdeen.

The league campaign commences this week with a round of matches in the second division, which will feature nine teams.

The first and third divisions - which each feature eight teams - will begin the following week.

This weeks Division Two matches are: Services 'B' v JTI; Moneyglass v Harryville Community Centre; Maine v Clough Rangers; Dunclug PTA v West Church. Bye - Services 'A'.

Fixtures for week commencing September 20 are:

Division One: BPFA 'A' v BUSC; BPFA 'B' v Golf Club; Michelin v Old Bleach; Towers v Portglenone CC.

Division Two: JTI v Maine; West Church v Services 'A'; Harryville CC v Dunclug PTA; Clough Rangers v Moneyglass. Bye - Services 'B'.

Division Three: Eaton Park v Enkalon; Golf Seniors v All Saints; Glenravel v First Ballymena; Round Tower v St Mary's.