By Neil Goulding (English Lacrosse Press Officer, 07813 859986) 

DEFENDING league champions Hitchin made the perfect start to the domestic season on Saturday.

Steve McDermott's team hammered Hillcroft, last season's runners-up and one of their closest rivals, 16-4 on opening day of the Men's South of England League Premier Division.

New American recruit Eamon Thornton led the way on debut, top-scoring with five goals as Hitchin ran away with the points.

Skipper McDermott, playing in attacker instead of his usual midfield role, and American-born attacker Travis Robb netted four goals each, while midfielder Jim Mullaley - the club's second player/coach - added a brace, and midfiedler Ian Thomassen completed the scoring.

And McDermott, like head coach Ray Harry, couldn't believe the manner of their victory.

"It was a lot easier than we ever expected," said McDermott, who praised his side for their excellent start.

"Eamon had a great game for us in attack, but generally as a team we played really well.

"Hillcroft were not the attacking force from midfield like they were last season."

A view shared by Harry, who added: "Hillcroft were not the team we played last year, but they'll get better."

And us for his team's own chances, Harry said: "We've got a strong team, even though we've lost two our influential American players (Kyle Auch - a defender from Ohio - and Virginia attacker Kevin Burke).

"The two new American's we've recruited are very strong, though, and we're looking to build on last year's success."

From humble beginnings from their establishment in 1980, the Lucas Lane outfit have risen phoenix-like through the South of England League pyramid, which has witnessed them celebrate three memorable promotions.

And it was perhaps fitting last season, when the club celebrated it's 25th anniversary, that they won the league title for the first ever time.

"We went to maintain what we had last season," added Harry. "It was such a special year for us.

"We thought we might struggle against Hitchin without Kyle and Kevin, but Eamon and Jim fitted in really well in their first match.

"Like I've said, Hillcroft will get better and can see Purley and Hampstead being the other teams who will challenge us this season."

Meanwhile, former league winners and last season's Southern Senior Flags winners Hampstead were nearly shocked in their first league outing of the 2006-07 campaign.

Last year's bottom-placed Walcountian Blues, who won just two matches last term, took them the distance and looked like they were going to cause a shock.

But Hampstead, playing without a recognised goalkeeper, edged a nerve-racking 17-16 victory, coming from behind to win the game with less than two minutes remaining. 

Reading Wildcats defeated Oxford University 10-5 in their first match, while Spencer proved too strong with a 10-2 win at the Recreation Ground.

RESULTS, Saturday 7 October

Men's South of England League - Premier Division: Hampstead 17 Walcountian Blues 16, Hillcroft 4 Hitchin 16, Bath 2 Spencer 10, Reading Wildcats 10 Oxford University 5.

West Division: Cardiff Univ 6 UWIC 9, Bath University 3 Southampton University 7, Bristol Sharks 4 Swansea Hawks 11.