Last-minute thrillers the highlight of opening round of Men's Premier League

Dominant outings and last-minute thrillers highlighted an exciting first round of Men’s Premier League action for 2023.

Hale and Melville, and YMCC and Whitford opened the season on Friday night, both finishing in scorelines of 3-2 in two closely fought contests.

Hale and Melville, two of the stronger clubs in 2022, with the latter winning back-to-back premierships, competed in a scintillating contest, with a last-minute drag flick from Melville’s James Day securing the victory for his side in the last play of the match.

Hale started off strong and led 2-0 late in the second quarter, but Melville quickly replied with two of their own right before half-time, with Day’s score the eventual winner for the side at Hale Turf.

Whitford defeated YMCC 3-2 at their home turf at the Warwick Hockey Centre.

YMCC scored the first through Jesse Regan in the 20^th minutes, but Whitford replied with two of their own before the main break, with Kookaburra Nathan Ephraums and Joe Welch the scorers.

YMCC’s Marshall Roberts pulled the score back in the 52st minute, but it was Fraser Heigh who secured the victory for Whitford with a score in the final minutes of the match.

Reds stamped their authority on the competition with a 9-0 victory over Curtin University, with six different scorers highlighting a potent attack.

Adrian Lockley starred with a hat-trick, while Kookaburra Aran Zalewski added two of his own.

Fremantle Cockburn kicked-started their 90^th anniversary in fine fashion, defeating Victoria Park 4-2 at Bateau Turf - Matthew Nelson, Ehren Hazell, Jack Welch and Declan Spencer all scored in the victory for the Magpies.

The 90th anniversary celebrations were commenced with 95-year-old Life Member of the club, Jack Rickie, taking the opening pushback for his club. 

The clash between WASPs and UWA finished in a thrilling 3-3 draw, with WASPs claiming the victory in a final-minute thriller.

Both sides sat at 2-2 early in the final term, but UWA’s Daniel Tims scored in the 57^th minute to snatch the lead with minutes remaining.

WASPs Duncan Pearce proved to be the hero, scoring from a penalty corner in the last play of the match to secure the victory for his side.

The final match of the round saw Westside Wolves take on Old Guildfordians Mundaring at Lemnos Field.

Wolves claimed a strong 5-2 victory to wrap up the round, with captain Simon Benetti scoring two in the win.

View full scores and standings here.