Nightcliff Tigers WPL side down East Darwin 5-1 delivering the upset of the round

The Nightcliff Tigers pulled off the victory of the round as it downed the competition favourites in a statement performance. Catch up on the second round of TPL action here.

Nightcliff Tigers' WPL side upset East Darwin 5-1 in Round 2 of the 2025 TPL season. Picture: Hockey NT

The Nightcliff Tigers WPL side pulled off the upset of the round at the weekend with an astonishing 5-1 victory over East Darwin.

The Tigers, under new head coach and with some player movement during the off-season put together a composed showing across the turf.

East ended the 2024 regular season head and shoulders above the rest of the pack with an outlandish 42 points, a 14-1 record, 120 goals for and 11 against.

Just last round the Storm defeated Waratah 5-1, so the performance from Nightcliff was most definitely a surprise.

Now with two wins from two as head coach, Stephen Versteegh said this most recent performance is one he and the side have been working towards since Easts knocked the Tigers out in the semi-finals last year.

“I’m really happy with how our group performed and the work that’s gone in over the pre-season,” he said.

“East are a tough side and have been the benchmark of the competition for a number of years, so to come away with that performance is really pleasing.

This is a great group to be part of, and I’m really excited to see what we can achieve this season.”

Versteegh also said the victory, while a team effort, was lead by a number of individuals who stood up to the occasion.

“It was a strong team performance from start to finish,” he said.

“Jessica, Samantha and Maddison were strong in defence, Tiana was influential through the middle, and Shnye led with great composure.

“Tahlia had a great game in goals, making a number of crucial saves, especially early in the third quarter.

“Elena also had a fantastic debut in her first Premier League game.”

ROUND 2 RESULTS

WPL: Nightcliff Tigers 5 def. 1 East Darwin, Commerce Pints 3 def. 0 Waratah, Palmerston Saints 5 def. 1 Banks

MPL: East Darwin 5 def. 2 Nightcliff Tigers, Commerce Pints 2 def. 1 Waratah, Banks 2 def. 1 Palmerston Saints

Banks grab courageous draw as East dominate in Round 1 of TPL

Top End hockey is back and there are plenty of talking points from the first round of TPL action.

The story of the round was the effort by Banks’ women, pulling off a hard fought 1-1 draw with the reigning champs in the first clash of the new season.

Undermanned missing ‘half’ of its squad to the under-16 NT state team – who are currently away at nationals – as well as their head coach, Banks were forced to field B and C graders as well as promoted talented juniors.

Banks were the side of the round, pulling off a 1-1 draw with Commerce-Pints. Picture: Darcy Jennings

A trio of players also made their debut for the side, Bella Andrews, Julie Andrews – who made her debut in net – and Banks’ best on Melina Schwartzkopff.

After a nil-all opening quarter, the game was halted for an extended period of time as a blue marker came out of the turf.

Thankfully, the Banks bench came to the rescue, gluing the piece back to the floor in the break.

The Banks bench came to the rescue, gluing the blue square back to the floor during the quarter time break. Picture: Darcy Jennings

The women in blue held their own against a multitude of Commerce attacking phases.

Tahlia Kemp got Banks on the scoresheet first, tapping in the ball off of a short corner.

Redbacks’ teenage weapon Neisha Casemiro levelled the score later on in the piece, the only other goal of the contest.

Elsewhere, the East Darwin men and women both proved they are true title contenders with dominant victories over a struggling Waratah, winning their matches by a combined total 11-1.

ROUND 1 RESULTS

WPL: Banks 1 draw 1 Commerce, Nightcliff 1 def. 0 Palmerston, East Darwin 5 def. 1 Waratah

MPL: Banks 4 def. 2 Commerce, Nightcliff 5 def. 2 Palmerston, East Darwin 6 def. 0 Waratah