The opening round of the 2011-2012 Super Six Basketball Competition featured some close clashes, signalling the contest - in just its second year running - would be a tough one.
The first clash was between last season's runners-up Portland Blazers and Maunu Lights, at Kamo High School on Friday night.
It was an intense battle between the two teams, with Maunu grabbing the early lead, followed by several lead changes as each side flexed their muscles throughout a very physical match.
It was Maunu however, who edged ahead in the final quarter to claim a narrow three-point victory (72-69) in their first hitout for the season.
Forward Casey Namana top-scored for Maunu, shooting 20 points, backed up by Josh Martinac (19), while Portland's best shooter was Louis Davis, sinking 16 points.
On Saturday, City Hawks went up against a depleted Kaikohe Cougars, who had only seven players, and a very limited bench to call on.
The Hawks lined up with a 10-strong contingent and thought they would have the edge, with more fresh legs, but a determined Kaikohe gave it their all and left everything they had on the floor in a titanic battle.
Trailing 33-25 at halftime, Kaikohe relentlessly clawed their way back to level the game 66-66 at fulltime.
The battle went into a desperate five-minute spell of overtime, during which Hawks' Travis McIlroy shot 10 of the 13 points City scored in total, and Atama O'Donnell shot five for Kaikohe.
But the Hawks were too strong for Kaikohe in the end, winning their first game of the season.
McIlroy top scored for the Hawks, with centre Warrick Siddall adding another 20, in a solid all-round performance. O'Donnell was the top scorer for Kaikohe, with 27 points.
The third game of the round between newcomers Whangaruru and defending champions Raumanga Royals was deferred to Wednesday night at Kensington Gym due to many of the players being involved in the Tamaki Cup Sports Tournament.
Round two of the Super Six Competition sees Whangaruru play City, tipping off at 7.30pm on Friday, followed by games between Kaikohe and Maunu at 1.30pm and Portland versus Raumanga at 3pm on Saturday.
