Port Hill thrash Napier Marist

Keep the ball on the ground, string crisp passes and, for goodness sakes, keep the lines of communication open at all times.
Aah, isn't football a simple game?
That's the simplicity theory Ericksen Honda Port Hill United employed in their match against Plus Rehab Napier Marist in the opening round of the Eastern Pacific Premiership on Saturday.
On the final whistle, after 90-plus minutes at Park Island, Napier, the defending champions had crushed the hosts 6-0 building on a 2-0 lead at halftime.
"We looked very clinical, made line passes and there was lots of talk from my well-drilled side," Port Hill coach Murray Loader said on his debut season with the Marewa-based outfit.
"We knew where our teammates were going to be," Loader said, adding they were "untouchable" on the field.
Tim Stephens and Patrick Pilz scored two goals each while Jamie Provines and even goalkeeper Stu McVeigh (penalty kick) found the net.
Aware of their reputation as a physical side, Loader said his players were strong on the ball and fans had endorsed that.
"Let's say other teams always know we're there. There's no thuggery, just good, honest football."
Gisborne Thistle also established themselves as contenders when they thumped Cru Bar Maycenvale United Reserves 4-0 at St Leonard's Park, Hastings, after going up 2-0 at the breather.
"They are one of the stronger sides of the three Gisborne teams in the premiership," Vale coach Dion Adams said.
It was a tough introduction for the Hastings club but Adams said he had a dozen under-20 players and 10 of them were below the age of 18.
"We'll have to go backwards to go forward as we try to adjust to the physicality and speed in the competition but they'll get there."
Last season's other heavyweights, New World Havelock North Wanderers, pipped Geon Taradale Prem Reserves 1-0.
Centre-mid Laurent Larcelet found the net in the ninth minute but Quentin Hunt missed a penalty in the 33rd minute.
Wanderers coach Ritchie Howard said Dale keeper Chris Penny made a great save and then thwarted the ensuing second shot.
"It was a tough opener but then it's always tough playing any time," Howard said, naming his centre-mid Asa Andersen man of the match.
The villagers have injected more youth, some from Central Hawke's Bay where Howard lives, with experienced players in pivotal positions.
He lauded striker-cum-centreback Bruce Barclay for marshalling the Beefeaters.
Dale skipper Warren Gilbertson said they didn't have the full squad but were hoping to be up to speed this Saturday.
"Hopefully everyone will be on deck. We're keeping the ball well but not penetrating," Gilbertson said.
HBE Napier City Rovers also showed they would be a force to reckon with after demolishing Gisborne Bohemians 5-0 at Park Island after establishing a 2-0 lead at halftime.
Former Port Hill striker Matt Single claimed a hattrick of goals as Rovers Central League coach Grant Hastings watched from the sidelines.
Single was on the bench in Wellington in the Central League opener yesterday against Olympic.
Craig Lennox claimed two goals, including a penalty.
Coach Terry O'Neill said they drew first blood with Leyton Simmons putting a cross to Single.
"We seemed to have had probably a better build up then them," O'Neill said, comfortable in having a back-up player this season for every position.
"We have no prima donnas, they all train hard and they set their own standards."
Western Rangers drew 1-1 away against Lytton High School in Gisborne.
The Hastings club struck first in the 31st minute, putting one past goalkeeper Cameron Cairns before Lytton striker Corey Adams equalised in the 65th minute at the school grounds.
"We really wanted a win so we were gutted but looking back it was a fair result," Lytton coach Craig Christophers said.
Christophers said the visitors scored against the run of play from striker Ben Robinson, finishing off a Greg Morrison cross, but his troops didn't drop their heads.
"We could have scored another in the middle patches but their goalkeeper [Wayne Kuipers] was really sharp," he said, saying the Rangers had older players than the hosts.
Assistant coach Nathan Ross said their hosts were a young side but with three National age-group players.
"We were just happy to come away with a point. They look like a pretty hard side to beat at home but then it'll be interesting to see how they travel away from home," Ross said.