Ballygunner opened up the defence of their Waterford senior hurling title, beating a determined Abbeyside in glorious Fraher Field sunshine on Saturday afternoon.
It ended 1.21 to 0.16 in favour of the champions, despite trailing by 6 points at the halftime break (0.06 - 0.12).
Daragh O Sullivan's Gunners won the second half 1.15 to 0.4, with Abbeyside hitting just two points from play in the second period.
The nine-time champions were buoyed to victory by Dessie Hutchinson and Patrick Fitzgerald who scored 6 points and 1.02 respectively, having been fed ideal ball by their half-forward line.
Pauric Mahony was deadly accurate from frees, nailing 6 placed balls.
Abbeyside gave it their all, however, the absence of key players such as Conor Prunty, Michael Kiely and Seanie Callahan proved pivotal, especially in the second half.
There was only three points separating the sides after 48 minutes with Patrick Fitzgerald's goal proving decisive, but of the two sides Ballygunner were proven to have more in the tank in the second period, having looked far from their best in the opening half hour.
The march towards a tenth consecutive county title rolls on, but Ballygunner will likely have some work to do on the training ground ahead of their meeting with Passage next Sunday.
Abbeyside have a bye next weekend but will be back in action on AUgust 13th when they face Passage, once again at Fraher Field.
