Baptist played a patient controlling game to nullify the faster Tamar side, with Rick Webb converting a penalty corner 14 minutes in.  Tamar responded  quickly off a fast break, a field goal for Jack Brophy levelling the  score  in the 15th minute.

The game settled as both teams probed the defences looking to break the deadlock for the next 10 minutes, when Baptist were again awarded a penalty corner that Webb converted, taking them to the break with the lead.

Solid work around the centre by Baptist coach Matt Selby gave Anthony Lockett the next goal.

Baptist relaxed a little but with plenty of the half still to play the Greenmen added another from Jack Brophy’s stick to close the gap and apply more pressure to the Baptist defence.

The play became a little scrappy as the Baptist defence scrambled to cover all of Tamar’s forward forays to run out the winners.

Devonport will be second on the ladder after they defeated the reigning premiers, South Launceston, by a single goal in Devonport.

The depleted South Launceston side maintained the pressure on the Subbies but were found lacking in the midfield with little forward momentum and  Craig Kershaw and the Carnicelli brothers on the ground consistently pushing forward.

The game was a scrappy affair with plenty of gladiatorial tactics being employed by the home side.  Callum Dubeld made his way into the Suns’ circle and slipped with Derrick Henry picking up the loose ball to give the Subbies the lead.

More of the same continued to the half,  with neither team worrying the scoreboard attendant.

The arm wrestle continued with nobody able to gain an advantage as the game wound to a close. The Suns rebounded a short corner that appeared to cross the line but the umpire was unsighted, leaving the Subbies with the win.

The Smithton Saints came from behind to defeat South Burnie in the late game at McKenna Park.

The Smithton defence withstood plenty of pressure from the Hawks, with Joe Coombs and Jeremy Tuscon in the spotlight for most of the first half, conceding a goal to the Hawks’ Jordan Dart.

A shakeup from the coach saw a rejuvenated Saints. Richard Cornish and Kade Woodrage took the next two goals to surge to the front, only to have the Hawks level the table again from a penalty corner conversion for Jordan Dart.

With it all to play for, the tempo went up as the sides battled to break the deadlock. The Saints were awarded a penalty corner that full-back Joe Coombs slotted past keeper Jarrod Bomford to give them the lead and the game.

City Marians opened their account for the year with a hard-fought two goal win over an undermanned Queechy Penguins in the early game at McKenna Park.

City Marians started the best with constant pressure on the Qs’ defence, where keeper Sam Williams was holding his own with some class saves.

The sides were evenly matched as they headed to the break with the scores tied.

The second half was more of the same but the Qs’ defence, missing coach Matt Reid, could not hold the Bloods as they posted two unanswered goals to run out easy winners.

RESULTS – Burnie Baptist d Tamar 3-2. Goals — BAPTIST: R, Webb 2, A. Lockett. TAMAR: J. Brophy 2. Best — BAPTIST: R, Webb, M, Selby, T, Whiley. TAMAR: K. Dunning, R. Partridge, M. Webb.

Devonport d South Launceston 1-0. Goals — DEVONPORT: D. Henry. Best — South: K. Beattie, C. Banfield, J. Pinner. DEVONPORT: B. Will, D. Ford, M. Williams.

Smithton d South Burnie 3-2. Goals — SMITHTON: R. Cornish, K. Woodrage, J. Coombs. SOUTH BURNIE: J. Dart 2. Best — SMITHTON: J. House, J. Coombs, J. Tuscon. South Burnie: I. Woo, J. Dart, T. Trevarthan.

City Marians d Queechy Penguins 4-2. Best — CITY MARIANS: R. Burgess, J. Dart, L. McCarthy. QUEECHY: T. Moir, S. Williams, S. Allan.