PORTHLEVEN 1 - ST BLAZEY 3. IT was business as usual for Carlsberg SWL champions St Blazey who finished comfortable 3-1 winners in their opening game of the season against Porthleven at Gala Parc.

Comfortable might not have been the word to use if Port's first half performance had matched their second half effort. Despite a highly encouraging second 45 minutes in which they more than matched the champions, there was going to be no way back into a game in which all the damage had been inflicted in the first half.

However, manager Gary Marks will have gained some plus marks from the performance and will have learned a number of things about the current squad of players.

It was also a big occasion for referee Jeff Williams from St Keverne who was taking charge of his first SWL match following his elevation to the county's most senior league.

St Blazey opted for a high-tempo start, no doubt putting the home side's resilience to the test, and after 14 minutes opened the scoring when Jamie Densham stepped over a cross from Glynn Hooper to allow Steve Ovens to drill his shot past Ryan Holland.

Three minutes later it was beginning to look ominous for the Fishermen when the visitors added a second goal. Indecision on the edge of the home box put pressure on Jamie Greet to head clear, but after failing to get any purchase on the ball it fell to Graham Waters who unleashed a terrific 25-yard shot that gave Holland no chance as it rocketed into the roof of the net.

Full report in this week's issue.