DEFENDING champions Kaierau claimed the scalp of newcomers Mere Te Aroha on opening night of the 2016 Whanganui Premier A1 netball season on Monday night.
Wanganui Car Centre-sponsored Kaierau defeated Training For You MTA 44-22 in what is shaping up to be a tough competition with its new eight team format, two more than last season.
In fact, all four winners on opening night at Springvale Stadium were teams that featured in the premier grade last season. New World Taihape, which is returning to the grade after a sabbatical, lost 33-31 in a close encounter with Mint Cafe Marist A1.
In other matches, Phillips Electrical Wanganui High School A1 dispatched Cullinane A1 60-53, while Kaiwhaiki beat the newly-named Wanganui Athletic Sports (formerly East Club Sports) 41-36.
Kaierau were dominant throughout their game against MTA, a team that contains six players from other 2015 premier teams and two new to the top grade. In their defence MTA was also carrying a number of injuries on opening night.