NEWLY-promoted Presteigne began their South Wales Hockey League Division Two campaign in impressive style with a crushing 9-0 home win over Cwmtawe.

Jess Goodwin quickly opened the scoring and had bagged a second before the break when, with Charlie Morris also scoring twice, Presteigne led 4-0.

After the break, the unstoppable Goodwin scored twice more as with veteran Pru Napolitano also netting a brace and Jody Owen-Evans hitting the target as well, Presteigne romped home.

The border club’s opening day victory followed a successful pre-season which saw them return from Gwernyfed Ladies Hockey Club’s seven-a-side tournament at Brecon with the winners’ trophy. Presteigne eased past Newport 4-1 in the semi-final before going on to beat neighbours Radnor 3-1 in the final.

Gwernyfed, meanwhile, are looking for new junior and senior players for the coming season with all potential new recruits welcome at Tuesday night training sessions at Brecon Leisure Centre from 7-8pm.

With the new West Club Women’s League season also getting under way, only Leominster enjoyed a first-day success.

The north Herefordshire club carried on their good form of last season by travelling to Yate 2nd in the North Division and returning with a 4-2 win.

Hereford’s season in Premier Division 2A began with a home defeat when they slipped to a 4-2 reverse at Hereford Leisure Centre against Cheltenham 2nd.

And the city club’s second string opened their Severn Division One term with a 5-1 loss at Cheltenham.

It was a similarly disappointing day for Colwall and Malvern whose first-team were beaten 3-1 at Gloucester 3 in Severn One while their second team were walloped 9-0 at home by Stroud 2nd in Severn Three.

In Severn Two, Ross started their season with a creditable 2-2 draw at Bretforton 2nd.