PHL has an action-packed opening weekend

The Tivoli Blyde River Bunters showed their championship pedigree as they recorded two victories at the Premier Hockey League opening weekend.

The return of the Premier Hockey League happened at the Randburg Sports Complex and last years women’s champions had a blazing start to their title defence.

They opened their 2017 season with wins against Namaqualand Daisies on 25 November and St Lucia Lakers the following day.

The Crossroads Maropeng Cavemen, last year’s men’s champions, bounced back from an opening day loss against the Garden Route Gazelles then recorded their first victory against Kilimanjaro Addo Elephants.

The Drakensberg Dragons opened the second season of the PHL in thunderous fashion as they won 4–0 against the Kilimanjaro Addo Elephants.

The biggest win of the weekend came from the Mapungubwe Mambas as they were able to put six goals past iWYZE Golden Gate Gladiators while conceding one goal.

Private Property St Lucia Lakers beat the Orange River Rafters 4–1 but lost their second game to last year’s champions.

Here are the full results:

25 November

Men’s

• Pro-Grip Drakensberg Dragons 4–0 Kilimanjaro Addo Elephants
• Crossroads Maropeng Cavemen 1–2 Garden Route Gazelles
• iWYZE Golden Gate Gladiators 1–6 Mapungubwe Mambas

Women’s

• iWYZE Namaqualand Daisies 1–2 Tivoli Blyde River Bunters
• Private Property St Lucia Lakers 4–1 Orange River Rafters

26 November

Men’s

• Crossroads Maropeng Cavemen 3–2 Kilimanjaro Addo Elephants
• Pro-Grip Drakensberg Dragons 2–2 (3–1 shoot-out) iWYZE Golden Gate Gladiators

Women’s

• TopT Madikwe Rangers 1–1 (2–0 shoot-out) Wineland Wings
• iWYZE Namaqualand Daisies 4–3 Orange River Rafters
• Private Property St Lucia Lakers 1–3 Tivoli Blyde River Bunters