Kent sides occupy the top-two places in Investec National Premier Division after finding the goal trail on the opening day of the new season.

Canterbury are the early leaders after a 5-1 romp at perennial big-guns Beeston on Saturday evening, with all the goals coming from former Canterbury Juniors.

The city club made a blistering start as Sarah Kerly put them 1-0 up after just nine minutes and Grace Balsdon doubled the lead from a penalty corner six minutes later.

Lizzie Neal added a third after 20 minutes and the lead stood until midway through the second half when Phoebe Richards pulled one back from a penalty corner.

Any hopes of a comeback from the hosts were short-lived as Eliza Brett made it 4-1 shortly before the hour, and Kerly put the gloss on the win with her second and Canterbury’s fifth four minutes from time.

Holcombe made a winning start to life in the top-flight following their promotion with a 3-0 cruise against Bowdon Hightown which left them second.

Holcs, playing in the top flight of women’s hockey for the first time after back-to-back promotions, took an eighth-minute lead through GB international Nicola White, making her debut.

Leigh Maasdorp extended their advantage from a penalty corner on 24 minutes, with Nicci Daly clinching victory with Holcombe’s third nine minutes after the break.

The first top-flight Kent derby will take place at 6pm on Saturday as Canterbury head up the M2 to visit Holcombe.

Canterbury men's NOW Pensions Premier Division campaign began with a 6-2 defeat at Beeston.

Gordon McIntyre put the hosts ahead after just nine minutes, though Harry Roberts pulled the city club level eight minutes later.

A penalty corner strike from Sam Ward restored the lead on 24 minutes and it was 3-1 eight minutes into the second half through Tim Whiteman.

A late flurry of three goals in nine minutes - two from Ben Arnold with the other from David Ames - turned the game into a rout, though Kwan Browne had the final word with a last-minute penalty corner conversion.