Defending men's champs Upstarts opened their new season with a win over the Panthers on the weekend.

Upstarts wracked up an impressive six goals to Panthers three in this fast-moving match.

Gareth Tavares started the scoring drive for Upstarts in the seventh minute of play on a successful short corner routine.

Captain Donnie Moniz was to soon add to this lead with an open play goal in the 24th minute which was followed up again by Martin Murphy's successful effort just three minutes later.

Upstarts left the first half with a 3-0 lead over Panthers.

Upstarts relaxed the pace a little in the beginning of the second half of play but Phil Trussel managed to find his way into the net with a well-finished short corner.

But Panthers soon proved they had some fight left in them as Stephen Troake make a fruitful effort at the net on a short corner routine and then Dave Horan picked up back-to-back goals within seven minutes of each other ? the first on a short corner and then next in open play.

This game was to soon be out of Panthers' reach, however, as Upstarts' Tavares and Moniz each added another to their tallies to solidify the win.

Also picking up a win on the first weekend of men's play were Polecats who defeated Chameleons by one goal on Sunday.

Nigel Deane found the winning touch in 42nd minute of play to put that game away.

In Women's A league, also opening last weekend, both Ravens and Canaries picked up three points.

Ravens handily took Swifts to a 6-0 shutout with Megan Troake leading the charge with three goals, followed by Caroline Black with two and Emily Black with one.

Ravens converted four of their 14 penalty corner attempts on their way to the win while Swifts failed to earn any opportunities.

Meanwhile Canaries picked up a goal in the first half of play against Wildcats to secure their 1-0 result. Captain Mary Ellen Jackson zeroed in on the net in open play.

In the Women's B league, two teams are now tied for first place with four points after securing one win and one draw in the first two weekends of play ? Swallows and Bluebirds.

After picking up wins on the opening day of the season, the two squads battled to a nil-nil stalemate on Sunday.

In other B league play, Ravens earned a 1-0 victory over Swifts as Alex Wheatley successfully converted a short corner effort in the 19th minute of play.

Also on Saturday, Wildcats made a strong showing against Canaries, romping to a 5-0 result.

Four of their goals were in open play with C. Rayner starting the charge, followed up by goals from C. Adebiyi, B. DeSilva and Val Holder. Zina Jones closed out the scoring in 66th minute of play with a successful short corner conversion.