Waratah sweep aside arch-rivals with major winning margin in derby

ALL SMILES: Waratah opened their season with a bang, dismantling their arch-rivals Hamilton in a 9-4 victory.

For Waratah, the start of the season couldn't be any sweeter - their five-set victory over Hamilton marks the biggest winning margin the Cobras have ever chalked up against their long-standing arch-rivals.
Not even in Waratah's title-winning season did they account for the Stags by such a wide margin. In that campaign the Cobras recorded three-set and two-set victories over the course of the regular season. Now, the 9-4 victory over Hamilton has penned a new chapter in the history books of the club adorned in purple.
Despite the wide margin for the derby - the biggest between the two organisations since Hamilton dismantled Waratah 16-4 in just their second ever meeting twelve seasons ago - the Round 1 clash began on relatively equal footing.
Waratah opened the scoring against the Stags with a rapid-fire set win, before Hamilton bounced back two net to of their own and put the Cobras onto the back foot - or so it seemed. From a 1-2 deficit, Waratah settled into the rhythm of the match and claimed four points in a row to give themselves breathing room with a 5-2 lead at the break.
Although Hamilton has often recovered in the second half against their rivals, Season 12's first meeting went a different way entirely, as Waratah kept firm control of the clash to record another four points in the second half to the Stags' two. With no way back into the match as the Cobras charged ahead, the Season 11 runners-up were forced to open their season with a disappointing loss.
The win doesn't put Waratah on top of the table however, as both Shortland and Kotara began their own campaigns with wide margins of their own.
In the early time-slot, the Kings welcomed Glendale to the competition with a 13 set to one victory. Shortland went one step further later in the evening as they clocked up 15 unanswered points in their clash with Bar Beach.
Finally, Belmont began their title defence in Season 12 with a shaky battle against veteran organisation Raymond Terrace. The Beavers emerged victorious with a 9-8 scoreline, but it took the seventeenth set of the match to decide it. Heading into the final whistle Belmont and the Raccoons were neck-and-neck at eight apiece, a strong sign for Raymond Terrace.
Despite that, Belmont joined the winner's circle in their first match as Newcastle's champions, and will look to build on their advantage in coming weeks.
STANDINGS: Shortland, Kotara, Waratah, Belmont (3), Raymond Terrace, Hamilton, Glendale, Bar Beach (1)

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