Tauranga City United AFC's entry into the Premier Division of the NRFL, after nearly a decade away, has started with a thunderbolt.

In their first game this season, played at Waikaraka Park in Auckland, they defeated Onehunga Sports 2-1, the team that came third in the premier division last year.

Tauranga's star goalscorer, Jerahl Hughes, bagged both points from penalties.

'This game was a big ask for us, because we played against the unknown” says coach Duncan Lowry, but 'we've done well.”

'The conditions were in our favour, the pitch was very nice.”

Around 20 minutes before half time, 1-0 down thanks to an Onehunga goal by Jake Porter, the first penalty kick made it 1-all for the break.

In the second half a booking for Dean Styles made a substitution necessary. A little later Colm Kenny got pulled down in the penalty box, which gave Jerahl a chance to get another goal.

Tauranga next game is against Birkenhead on Sunday 3 April at home, Links Avenue Reserve, Mount Maunganui from 2.45pm.