It may have been six months since they last hit the pitch, but it seems not much has changed in the Illawarra hockey first grade competition.

Last season's final three teams Wests, University and eventual champions Albion Park all chalked up massive wins in the first round last weekend.

Wests defeated Dapto 6-0, the Students punished Mittagong 10-0 and Park were too classy for Robertson in an 8-1 drubbing.

Grand final hero Blake Govers led the charge for the 2013 champions, scoring a brace and was ably assisted by young gun Brady Anderson.

"Brady came in at the back end of last year and has done quite well," Park skipper Steve Mayo said.

As a number of Robertson players were still involved in cricket series finals, Park were handed an easier than expected first-up assignment.

But with one eye on back-to-back titles, Mayo was pleased in his side's return to competitive hockey.

"We are just still trying to get back in the swing of things ... is probably the best way to describe it. "Getting these old legs moving again is probably the hardest part," Mayo said.

Park's job will be far from easy in their second-round clash this weekend against the Students.

University have brought in impressive youngster Paul Counsell from the now defunct Fairy Meadow club and are looking to avenge their grand-final loss last season.

Park ended the Student's five-year reign over them in last season's decider and Mayo expects the first of their 2014 encounters to continue in the same vein.

"It is going to be pretty tough," Mayo said.

"We have got a few young fellas away for the under-18s and a few guys on the injured list.

"It is always pretty hard against them.

"They are tough team to play throughout the year." In the round's other match, Mittagong will host Wests.

Dapto against Robertson has been deferred.

In the women's competition, Albion Park meet Falcons, Jamberoo play University and Wests Illawarra host Railway Greys.

Avondale are up against Gerringong, while Figtree and Unanderra have the bye.