Thursday, July 10 -- The European Slowpitch Championships finally got started this morning -- a day late -- at the University of Southampton after incessant rain washed out all of the first day's play.

With the main pitches still soggy, two new pitches were set up on drier ground and the tournament opened just after 8.30 am with a game between defending champions GB and tournament newcomers Jersey.

The result was never in doubt after GB turned in a crisp 1-6-3 double play in holding Jersey scoreless in the top of the first inning, then scored ten runs on eight hits and three Jersey errors in the bottom of the first.

GB went on to score eight more runs in the second inning and seven in the third, while Jersey put together three of the six singles yielded by GB pitcher Dan Spinks in the top of the fourth to score their lone run before the game was called on the mercy rule with GB leading 25-1.

GB committed only one error in the game and banged out 25 hits, and looked altogether in a different class from their opponents. Brett Gibbens hit two long solo home runs, Ruth Macintosh had a home run and two singles, Dan Spinks had three doubles and Martin Cartledge and Jenny Ball had three singles each. Dani Snyders and Pete Nightingale each had three RBIs.

The ESF Tournament Commissioners have reoganised the schedule so that -- weather permitting -- a full round-robin will be played today and another tomorrow before the Page Playoff round on Saturday.

GB will now play Ireland at 11.30 this morning, Slovenia at 2.30 this afternoon and the Czech Republic at 6.30 this evening after the Opening Ceremony, postponed from yesterday.