The Ballarat-based WestVic enjoyed an emphatic 9-0 win over Latrobe University in the opening round at Prince of Wales Park on Saturday.

The newly promoted WestVic was not so fortunate in women’s Vic league one  – losing to Latrobe University 5-1.

In the men’s division, WestVic controlled the game from the outset.

Captain Jack Chadwick opened the scoring with a close range tap-in in the second minute and striker Matt Stephen followed up six minutes later. WestVic was away.

Stephen repeated the dose in the eighth minute, finishing a goal-mouth scramble, and scored again only five minutes later from a penalty corner.

A Michael Churcher overhead from defence released Stephen into attack and his circle entry was smartly put away by Ben Huf to stretch the lead to four.  

Then on the cusp of half-time, Churcher converted penalty corner.

From there the outcome was never in doubt.

For the WestVic women, the game marked their first division one outing in two years.

Latrobe Uni scored three goals in the first half before Tammy Hansford made a penetrating attack, which finished by Chloe Scott.

Latrobe quickly scored again with an unbeatable shot from the top of the circle.  

WestVic settled better in the second half.

Jess Cairns and Micaela Dalli were strong in defence and combining well with Annie Poulton and Imogen Noone denied the visitors from another scoring spree.