Tchoukball UK's 2010/11 season got underway today with the first of four National League events being held in Bedford in the East of England.

Fast and Bury St Edmunds tchoukball clubs put in strong performance, winning all of their fixtures on the first day. The top two teams boast nine international players between them and go head-to-head in March 2011.

It's been a very impressive first day of matches for the new season.

New to the competition are the GB women and GB U18s teams - competing this year to capitalise on their recent development and prepare them for the World Championships in 2011.

Both side played well but lost to Leeds Met Carnegie who impressed with two wins - only losing to Bury St Edmunds.

It was a tough day for Portsmouth who lost to both the leading teams and GB women. However, local rivals Southampton University performed better by beating GB women and the GB U18s to end the day joint second.

Stuart Blakemore, Tchoukball UK's Director of Competitions and Events, said:

"It's been a very impressive first day of matches for the new season. Whilst the top teams still remain very hard to beat, there are no easy fixtures for anyone and it's clear the collective standard of play is improving all the time.

"This year sees the inclusion of the GB women and the GB U18s in our top league and it's clear this new focus on emerging talent is paying off. Today fits in perfectly with what Tchoukball UK is all about - professionally run events played competitively but with great sportsmanship."