Tauranga's Otumoetai Eels came home from the one-venue opening of the 2016 WaiCoaBay Premiership with two points in the locker.
All the games of the opening round of the competition were played at Tokoroa's Memorial Park with the day judged to be a massive success.
"There was a really goodvibe, and just a lot of people there to promote the game and support their respective clubs," said Upper Central Zone Rugby League operations officer Mel Bennett.
The Eels got the season off to a winning start with a 54-26 win over Hamilton United. The Eels tryscorers were Josh Tupou (3) Thomas Mahutonga (2), Cruz Walker, Josh Weeden, Mark Ballantyne, Maka Mohi with Weeden converting all nine tries.
The Eels' reserves had a narrow win 28-26 over Hamilton United.
Nine clubs will compete in the WaiCoaBay Premiership, including two sides from Hamilton, two from Rotorua and one each from Tokoroa, Taupo, Tauranga, Ngaruawahia, and Huntly.
The last time a combined competition like this was staged was 2012 before the Bay of Plenty district broke away and ran their own competition in 2013.
