RENO MADE the perfect start to the second round with a workmanlike 3-1 win over Arnett at STETHS yesterday.

The three points pushed them to 16, two more than Arnett, and should, according to coach Wendell Downswell, provide the fillip to recapture the second-round form which gave them round honours last year.

"We are the defending champions for this round and we want to have a say in how that goes this time around," said Downswell.

Back with a bang

Striker Gary McIntosh, who has not played for Reno for about one year, returned with a bang and surprised Arnett with his skill and pace to score two goals. Fabian 'Lexus' Blake, who also unsettled Arnett with his skill along the flanks, scored the other as Reno scored three goals in a game for the second time this season. Arnett were typically aggressive but not effective enough with their transitions, a point emphasised by their coach Max Straw in the post-match interview.

"I thought that Reno were quicker to the ball and better in the transitions into attack. Once we gave them that first goal, it gave them the confidence to attack us each time we lost the ball."