DEFENDING champions

St Martin’s sit proudly at the top of the Cable & Wireless Priaulx League with a 100% record. They secured their third consecutive league win to maintain their morale-boosting early-season form with a convincing 4-1 victory against the previously unbeaten Rovers at Blanche Pierre Lane.

Robert Pickford gave them an early lead and Alex Hunter slotted home a penalty to make it 2-0 after 18 minutes. A quickly taken free kick by Hunter made it 3-0 five minutes before the break.

Pickford made it 4-0 early in the second half before Jamie Ferbrache grabbed a close-range consolation for Graham Hockey’s side.

‘We did not turn up in the first half. You can’t give Saints a 3-0 lead and expect to come back because they are too good a side for that,’ said Hockey.

Last season’s runners-up North are breathing down Saints’ necks after making it two wins on the trot with a comprehensive 3-0 against Rangers at St Andrew’s.

Skipper Stuart Polson slammed home from close range after 35 minutes to give his side the lead before youngster Craig Young side-footed his first Priaulx goal 10 minutes from the end from Jon Veron’s cross.

Five minutes from time, substitute Ewan Beacom scored the goal of the game, volleying in from 12 yards after fine play, again by Veron.

The victory was marred slightly by an injury to experienced campaigner Ross Cameron on the hour as he sustained suspected knee-ligament damage after a collision that could leave him on the sidelines for a while.

‘It’s not the easiest place to play but I’m delighted with the win and the application of the players. It was a good squad performance and the game plan worked,’ said delighted North coach Geoff Tardif.

‘But the last thing we want to get is injuries after two games – Ross has been playing well and looking like his old self. On a positive note, Dave Rihoy will start kicking a ball again on Thursday after his operation,’ he added.

Up west, Joel Avery was celebrating his first victory as Sylvans boss at St Peter’s after a 5-2 win against visiting Bels, despite missing the Nobes brothers.

Ryan Tippett side-footed home early on to make it 1-0 before Simon Marley equalised from the spot after about 20 minutes with a contentious penalty.

Tony Vance hit a screamer into the top corner from 30 yards on his first start of the season to put his side

2-1 up and a Neil Clegg

diving header and a goal from Adie Exall increased the lead.

A header from Irishman Paul O’Neill gave Bels a glimmer of hope before Exall scuppered any hopes of a comeback with his second.

‘I’m happy with the result but it was a scrappy game, especially in the first half. The second half we kept to our game plan and deserved the three points,’ said Avery.

‘The positive was that we scored five goals and there are a few smiles back on our supporters’ faces. We are heading in the right direction.’