Replays: Port too strong for Forestville in Premier League Hockey round one double-header

Port Adelaide got its men’s and women’s Premier League hockey campaigns off to the perfect start, beating Forestville. Relive all the action in our replays.

Port Adelaide’s quest for hockey glory got off to the perfect start with the men’s and women’s teams triumphing in their opening round Premier League games at Mate Stadium on Saturday.

The Magpies men enjoyed a 5-3 victory over Forestville before the women prevailed in the later clash against the Panthers.

In an exciting new venture, The Advertiser and Messenger exclusively live streamed the round one men’s and women’s double-header.

Live streaming of further matches from the opening rounds of the season in coming weeks will follow.

In the men’s game, both sides scored within the fist few minutes and it was locked at 1-1 at quarter-time.

The Magpies worked hard to break the game open, but Forestville refused to go away.

Port’s midfield was too polished in the end, leading to the win.

Samuel Ferme (2), Sam Thomas, Lee Tape and Victorian recruit Clarke Rossiter scored Port’s goals.

Port’s goal keeper Eddy Chittleborough tries desperately to stop a shot at goal by Forestville’s Jaykay Young. Picture: Dean Martin

Coach Mark Victory said it was a tough opening match as players dealt with 31 degree heat.

“Credit to Forestville they kept coming and kept capitalising on our mistakes,” Victory said.

“We weren’t able to control the scoreboard to hold a decent lead for the majority of the game like we would’ve liked to.

“They were able to force the mistakes and turnovers and capitalise on that.

“But some of the work rate from our midfield and their will to keep finding the ball was great.

“We had Scott Germein who’s our captain lead by example and we had some good contributors at the back.”

Victory said it was important to get the 2021 campaign off to a strong start after the Magpies lost last year’s preliminary final.

“Starting with a win certainly raises the buoyancy in the group and allows us to move forward form there.”

Port’s women’s premiership defence, meanwhile, started well, beating Forestville 6-0.

Port’s Nicola Higgins has control in front of her Forestville opponent. Picture Dean Martin

The Magpies have dominated SA women’s hockey for the past two decades.

They won seven titles in a row before losing to Adelaide in 2019, only to reclaim the crown in a shortened 2020 season by beating the side that toppled their dynasty.

The weekend’s live streaming comes five months after our broadcast of the 2020 men’s and women’s Premier League grand finals, won by Seacliff and Port Adelaide respectively.

SCORES:

Men’s

Port Adelaide 5

Forestville 3

Women’s

Port Adelaide 6

Forestville 0