The title-hunting Willetton Tigers made the biggest statement on the opening weekend of the Women’s SBL season, thumping last year’s beaten grand finalists Rockingham Flames 80-42 at home.

Back-to-back champions in 2010-11, the Tigers finished the regular season in second place last year but fell to eventual title winners South West at the semi-final stage.

Willetton showed they were as hungry as ever on Friday night, skipping out to a 14-point lead by half-time.

The Tigers controlled the second half, limiting the Flames to just nine points in each of the third and fourth quarters.

Anotonia Edmondson scored 16 points but was the only Tiger to reach double figures as they shared the load.

Flames forward Kaye Tucker was her side’s best with 10 points and six rebounds, but the visitors clearly struggled without star import Emma Cannon and Waves/AIS forward Darcee Garbin.

Wanneroo finished on top of the ladder last season but, like Willetton, lost in the semi-finals.

They opened their account for 2013 with a thrilling one-point win over local rivals Stirling.

Nikita-Lee Martin was outstanding with 24 points and six rebounds, while Chelsea Burns went close to a double-double with 13 points and nine boards.

Amber Land (18 points) and Taylor Liley (16) did their best for the Senators.

The loss was Stirling’s second of the weekend after they were beaten 76-65 by Lakeside on Friday.

CJ Jackson’s Perry Lakes Hawks also suffered successive defeats to open the season, going down 69-67 away to Kalamunda on Friday and 63-60 at home to Mandurah on Saturday.

Cockburn produced a superb defensive display to stifle East Perth’s offence in a 58-33 win on Saturday.

Photo by Darren Speedie (Vision Inspired Photography)