The newly-promoted Bream Bay Flyers held their own in their first Northland Men's Premier Division match, despite going down 4-1 to Kerikeri at Ruakaka.
It was a closer game than the scoreline suggested, but it was Kerikeri's better passing game which gave them the winning advantage over 2010 division two champions
Bream Bay.
Kerikeri coach Jim Brooks said it was a competitive battle between the two sides.
"Bream Bay had some pretty quick forwards who wanted to catch us on the break, whereas Kerikeri played a more structured game and tried to keep possession," he said.
Kerikeri's Dwayne Beazley scored first midway through the opening half and his side held onto their lead until just after the break, when Bream Bay's Jamaine Hall scored to equalise. Things were a bit rocky for Kerikeri momentarily but they recovered, and maintained possession with some accurate passing, the coach said.
Midfielder Zdenck Rosa edged Kerikeri ahead with a stunning strike from outside the goal area and then not long after, made a brilliant individual run to score another goal.
Damon Lucas put the icing on the cake for Kerikeri when he found the back of the net.
Kamo held champions Onerahi to a 1-1 draw at Kamo, with both goals coming in the first half.
Kamo deserved their 1-0 lead after Shane Stanners had opened his account for the season with a header from a Paul Cross corner. They had the better chances during the spell until Harley Freeman capitalised on a defensive mix-up to hammer home an equaliser just before the break.
The rest of the game was more even with both sides manufacturing chances to win the game. The visitors piling the pressure on in the final 10 minutes but they were unable to break the deadlock.
It was a hard, even contest at Tikipunga Sports Ground between two of the most likely championship contenders, Tikipunga and FC Whangarei.
The game was tied up by the break, with Tikipunga's Luke Morunga and FC Whangarei's Wayne Crowley scoring a penalty each in the first half and neither side was willing to give in during the next 45 minutes.
Both team's defensive units impressed and their 1-1 draw was a fair result.
