John Latham was fastest of the Orwells at today's Club League opener in Batterstown, taking fourth place in a race that saw Orwell take four top eight placings.

Latham's dash for the line saw him hold off the challenge of veteran Orwell sprinter Romano Morelli. Junior rider Craig Arrigan put in a fine performance to take sixth. Newcomer Jamie Busher took the final points of the day by finishing eighth.

With large handicaps given, it began at furious pace and several of the handicap groups had split on the first lap. The race was animated by Irish Road Club's Sean Bracken, who made an early break and was later joined by team mates Byrne and Baker. The trio held off the chasing bunch to take the podium places.

Latham, whose days in semi-limit may now be numbered, said he managed to conserve some energy in the first half of the race by staying to the back of the bunch trying to figure where a rattle on his bike was coming from.

A large number of Orwell riders made their racing debut today, with some strong performances from the novices, the best of which Busher's ride that saw him finish in the placings. Fellow debutants Paul Jackson and James Benson also rode well, finishing just outside the points.

1. D Byrne (Irish Road Club)

2. S Baker (Irish Road Club)

3. S Bracken (Irish Road Club)

4. J Latham (Orwell)

5. R Morelli (Orwell)

6. C Arrigan (Orwell)

7. R Kelly (St. Tiernans)

8. J Busher(Orwell)