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Posted: 3 months ago

Seven-up for Queen’s and Harlequins but Portadown are the headline act as Premier League hockey returns

Portadown line up for 5-0 derby win over Lurgan

THE Legacy Wealth Management Premier League got off to a flying start with 24 goals on the opening weekend.

Reigning champions Queen’s University were amongst the big winners as both they and Belfast Harlequins recorded 7-0 victories on matchday one.

However, it was Portadown who arguably had the day’s most impressive result as they won 5-0 away to Lurgan.

The youngest team in the division, the visitors took just two minutes to open the scoring as Evie Girvan converted from close range.

Debutant Serena Campuzano doubled the lead from a penalty corner before Emma McEntee also got a debut goal to make it 3-0 at the end of the first quarter.

Last season’s top scorer Emily Adamson got her first of the campaign before half time and put the result well beyond doubt.

In the second half, Katie Herron rounded off the scoring as she finished off a fantastic team move to complete a dominant opening-day performance.

At Havelock Park, Belfast Harlequins got their campaign off to a flying start as they thrashed Banbridge 7-0.

After a goalless first half, the Deramore Park side turned on the style midway through the third quarter as Megan Getty found Jenna Henry and she opened the scoring in the 43rd minute.

Seven minutes later they doubled their lead as Claire Whiteside got her first goal of the season and just moments later got her second to make it 3-0 going into the final period.

Upon the resumption of play, the league’s top goalscorer last campaign, Alyssa Jebb opened her account for the 24/25 season as she made it 4-0 from a penalty corner.

Their dominant performance contined as they made it five following Katie Larmour’s crash ball into the circle which picked out Megan Getty at the back post.

Following her assist earlier in the tie, she got a decisive touch and deflected past the Banbridge goalkeeper.

In the closing stages of the tie, Katie Larmour rounded off her fine performance with her strike from a penalty corner before teeing up Jebb for her second of the day and her sides seventh.

In Omagh, Queen’s University got their title defence off to the perfect start as they put seven past their opponents.

The students were last season’s top scorers and once again showed their quality in front of goal.

Two goals each for Jenna McCarlie and Ellie Edwards as well as strikes from Megan Cochrane, Zoe Wilson and Jodie Simmons completed the rout and got their title defence off to a perfect start.

There were also two games on Friday night as Lisnagarvey beat Ballymoney 3-1 at Comber Road and Armagh beat newly-promoted Mossley 1-0 at home.

Portadown goalmouth action and (below) how they stand