Eighteen goals were scored in the two Bermuda Ball Hockey Association league matches played at Pembroke Community Club on Monday.

Defending champions Appleby, who retained the bulk of last season’s championship winning side were involved in an 11-goal thriller as they came from two goals down to overpower Hamilton Princess 6-5 on shoot-outs in the second match of the night.

Hamilton Princess surged ahead through goals by Kevin Mason and Adam Fenos, before Chris Grantier pulled one back for Appleby, for the first quarter to end 2-1 in favour of the former. In the second period, Appleby came back stronger to score four goals, while Hamilton Princess were on target three times during that phase of the game.

Marcel Bouwens made it 5-5 for Appleby, with eight seconds to go, for the match to go into the best-of-three shoot-outs. Bouwens and Grantier were on target for Appleby, while Drew Daly and Townie Jackson could not score.

Rules of the league state that only one goal is added to the winning team’s total in a shoot-out, hence the 6-5 victory for the defending champions.

Ryan Marshall, one of the Appleby captains, who scored one goal and was involved in three other goals praised the fighting spirit displayed by his side.

“It was a hard fought game,’’ Marshall said. “Our team never gave up and were able to wear down the other team and get a well-deserved shoot-out win. With special mention to our goalie, Yves Paul, who kept us in the game.”

In an earlier match, Spine and Sport outclassed Applied Computer Technologies 5-2. Ross Rufiange recorded a hat-trick, while Jordan Gunther had a brace for Spine and Sport. ACT got their goals from substitute players borrowed from other teams, since they were short in terms of numbers.

Action continues in the league on Wednesday, with two matches lined up. Frontier face ACT, while Appleby square off with Positive Image Dental.

The league was meant to take a break to allow players an opportunity to attend the hugely popular World Rugby Classic matches at the National Sports Centre. However, since there have been disruptions to the fixtures caused by the rain, the action will proceed.

“Because we had so many delays, we have matches this Wednesday and Friday,’’ said league president Hart Freedman. “There will also be matches played next week on Monday and Wednesday.”