Scottish national champions Western Wildcats overcame stubborn resistance from Grove Menzieshill at Auchenhowie, but finally came away with a 2-0 win to open their Premiership season on a winning note.
After the frustration of a goalless first half Fraser Moran and Rob Harwood finally found the net for the three points.
Coach Vishal Marwaha said of the win: “We had a number of penalty corner and open play chances but we failed to execute in the circle. It was encouraging that we played very well up to the circle. However, the Menzieshill keeper frustrated us with a number of crucial saves.”
It comes a couple of weeks ahead of the EHL KO16 showdown with Wimbledon whom they take on with some significant new faces.
They have an exciting line-up for the new season. Former Hamburger Polo Club player Jamie Golden links up with the panel having played indoor with the club. He has a super strike rate for Scotland, scoring 22 times in 25 internatinoals.
Simon Wells joins Western from down under having represented Australia at youth level and, more recently, in Hockey One for Adelaide.
Fresh off the Under-21 European championships, Cameron Moran returns to the squad after a season at Glasgow counterparts Clydesdale.
Dean Baber has signed from Sonning Hockey Club in England after a successful spell south of the border. He played through the age group levels for Scotland and originated at Clydesdale.
Tommy Austin is another Scotland senior international to link up with the club, moving from Kelburme. He received his first senior cap last summer at the age of just 16.
Just Noordzij hails from Dutch side Schaerweijde but has taken up a degree at Stirling University and will combine playing for the club with his studies. Scott Menzies, meanwhile, returns to the panel after a short sabbatical.
Those additions help grow the panel which also features AJ Lochrin, Fraser Moran and Andrew McAllister who were part of Scotland’s international setup this season.
