After finally breaking their ANZ Premiership duck last season, Northern Mystics may find the domestic netball crown even tougher to defend, after crashing to a 46-43 opening loss to Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic at Hamilton.
Playing without their Most Valuable Player - teeange shooter Grace Nweke - the champions could not handle their rivals' explosive start and never led, trailling 17-9 after the opening quarter.
When Filda Vui scored the first two goals after halftime, they closed within a goal and drew even midway through the final quarter, but conceded five unanswered goals down the stretch that saw Magic draw away again.
Last season's cellar-dwellers actually repeated the outcome of their opening encounter 12 months ago, which would remain their only victory throughout the competition.
Key to Magic's early advantage was international shooter Bailey Mes, who moved south from the Mystics during the off-season, after struggling to find court-time in the championship run. Mes slotted 10/11 attempts on goal, before making way for Brooke Leaver in the second quarter.
Promoted development player Ivana Rowland emerged as Magic's topscorer with 26/30 shooting, while Vui matched that output for Mystics with 26/32.
Neither team were at full strength, with Magic missing Silver Ferns veterans Ameliaranne Ekenasio and Katrina Rore.
Meanwhile, beaten 2021 finalists Mainland Tactix also tumbled to defeat in their season-opener, upended 71-54 by near neighbours Southern Steel.
England international George Fisher slotted 47/50 attempts on goal, as the Steel led 19-13 after the opening quarter and extended their advantage into double figures during the third period, reaching 20 points, before Fisher left the game late.
Monday's fixture between Central Pulse and Northern Stars has been postponed, after a COVID-19 outbreak in the Wellington side.
Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic 46 (Rowland 26, Mes 10, Leaver 10) Northern Mystics 43 (Vui 26, Falkner 17)
Southern Steel 71 (Fisher 47, Tui 17, Heffernan 7) Mainland Tactix 54 (Bird 32, Selby-Rickit 18, Glen 4)
