Derwent and OHA men’s and women’s Premier League Hockey grand finals
The OHA and Derwent men’s sides needed a penalty shootout to decide their Premier League hockey grand final, while OHA needed no extra time to sink Derwent in the women’s clash. MATCH REPORTS PLUS FULL GAME REPLAYS >>
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The OHA and Derwent men’s sides were forced into a penalty shootout to decide their Premier League Hockey grand final, while OHA needed no extra time to sink Derwent in the women’s clash. REPLAY BOTH MATCHES NOW >>
Stunning comeback as Derwent pips OHA
DERWENT has claimed the men’s Premier League title in an extraordinary final, with goalkeeper Magnus McCausland, Vaughn Bowen and Josh Mardell lifting it off the canvas.
The Strikers secured the premiership in a sudden death penalty shootout, with McCausland saving from OHA’s Oliver Smith and Mardell living out a dream to seal victory and create pandemonium among the Strikers supporters.
Watch the full match replay in the video player above
The Strikers looked down for the count midway through the last quarter before a brilliant interception from James Clifford resulted in Bowen smashing home a goal that will go down in Derwent Hockey Club folklore to draw the sides level at 3-3.
As the shootout transpired, OHA always held the advantage and OHA forward Sam McCambridge stepped up knowing a conversion would seal victory for the Ships.
But McCausland came up trumps, then repeated his heroics against Smith, to set the scene for Mardell’s moment.
“This feels so bloody good. The boys gave it everything to fight back after a third quarter where we found ourselves a goal down,” Derwent coach Nathan Fitzpatrick said.
“We implemented a new playing structure this year and knew exactly what OHA would throw at us, but you still have to earn premierships and the guys found a way in the end.
“We knew once it went to a shootout that we were well versed, it was our third week of going to penalties and we know internally what an unbelievable talent Magnus McCausland is. He executed his plans to perfection to put us in a position where we could win the game.”
Earlier, Derwent had jumped OHA with Paul Ancher opening the scoring with a forestick thunderbolt before Angus Boulton doubled the advantage. Ancher almost added a second, but OHA keeper Henry Chambers saved beautifully with an outstretched foot to keep his side in the hunt.
The Ships fought back with James Thomas scoring from the penalty spot before Sam McCambridge levelled matters. The third quarter belonged to the men in green and they edged in front through Joe Murphy’s penalty corner flick, before Bowen stole the show with an exceptional equaliser late on.
In a shootout, Boulton and Ewan Vickery scored for Derwent to match the efforts of OHA’s Smith and Kurt Budgeon, before McCausland and Mardell sealed a famous win in sudden death.
Ships seal successives titles
OHA has gone back-to-back in the women’s Premier League hockey after edging a gallant Derwent outfit 2-0 in a hotly contested grand final.
OHA’s rising defender Isabelle Kruimink was crowned player of the final for her composed defensive work and powerful distribution.
“It was such an amazing feeling to get the win for the second year in a row, with such a lovely bunch of girls,” Kruimink said.
“It was great to win the player of the final, but it was a team effort and reflected on the whole team, especially to keep them scoreless.
“We are a young side so, hopefully, we can continue on to be successful in future years”
Watch the full match replay in the video player below.
The Ships were pushed by an aggressive Derwent in the first quarter, but the Strikers were left to rue five missed penalty corner opportunities.
The contest between Derwent’s Amelia Spence and OHA’s Sarah McCambridge was worth the price of admission alone.
OHA gave itself breathing room through Eloise Crombie’s brilliant finish in the 12th minute in virtually their first attacking foray. The goal steadied their nerves.
The Ships continued to look damaging going forward, with Julia Gunn’s pace and Madison Brooks’ skills creating plenty of attacking drive.
Derwent continued to threaten with Spence, Molly Haas, Eliza Westland and Lauren Canning all breaking lines and looking dangerous, but their play fell down the moment they entered the attacking circle.
A clutch penalty corner variation from Spence agonisingly slid wide of the near post in their best effort of the half.
In the second half, OHA wrestled more control, with Kruimink and skipper Georgie Carter looking comfortable on the ball, and Taylor Brooks strengthening the back four.
As time started becoming Derwent’s main enemy, goalkeeper Nat Bester was withdrawn but the move backfired, OHA sealing the title with Julia Gunn deflecting high into a vacant net in the dying stages.
Family affair in hockey grand final
CAMILLA Winch can be excused for having split loyalties when Derwent face OHA in the men’s Premier League hockey grand final this afternoon.
She will have sons Harry (19) and Mackenzie (16) on opposing sides, with a fair chance that older brother will be marking younger brother at some stage.
Dad, Andrew, will also occupy the OHA interchange bench as team manager, leaving Camilla with conflicting loyalties as both boys play against each other in their first Premier League grand final.
“I guess either way I win,” joked Camilla.
“The two teams have been the best team’s all year so I always thought this day might come.”
“I’ll just be cheering for my boys to play their best hockey in what will likely be a very close game.”
In the semi-final a fortnight ago, OHA secured a penalty shootout win with Mackenzie having arguably his best game of the season, while Harry was an ever present in Derwent’s defence and even struck the woodwork with a penalty corner flick.
“Tomorrow will be an interesting game. We don’t tend to speak to each other for a few days after games against one another,” Harry said.
“The last time the teams met, it was Mac that came out on top, and it’s been a long couple of weeks for me, but hopefully it’s Mac that doesn’t want to talk to me come Saturday night.”
Both men’s and women’s grand finals will be live streamed exclusively to Mercury subscribers through the website, with commentary, from 1.30pm today.
GRAND FINAL STREAM SCHEDULE - Saturday, September 18
1.30pm: Women’s Grand Final - OHA vs Derwent
3.15pm: Men’s Grand Final - OHA vs Derwent
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Originally published as Derwent and OHA men’s and women’s Premier League Hockey grand finals
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