Everything you need to know about weekend match between Derwent and University

There is no need to check the weather bureau’s forecast because it is certain to be raining goals in the men’s hockey finals as Derwent and University go head-to-head. HOW TO WATCH, FULL SCHEDULE + SQUAD LISTS >>

• REPLAY: NW Grads vs Derwent
• Premier League hockey finals players to watch

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There is no need to check the weather bureau’s forecast because it is certain to be raining goals in the men’s hockey Preliminary Final between Derwent and University from 1.30pm on Saturday.

University qualified after upstaging OHA in a thrilling penalty shootout, after the match ended 6-6 at the final siren, with the Students twice trailing by two goals.

They must now overcome defending champions Derwent for the right to meet North-West Graduates in next week’s Premier League grand final.

Players to watch:

Josh Brooks (UNI): University’s skipper comes from tremendous hockey stock. Brooks is capable of shifting momentum for his side from any position on the pitch. Is likely to float between a high striker role and midfield, where his elimination skills can cut through teams like a hot knife through butter.

Ben Read (UNI): Has matured considerably as a playing-coach and is able to both heavily influence the play but also take a back seat at times to allow his talented youngsters to shine. Derwent won’t want to give him a look at too many penalty corners nor time to strike balls into their defensive circle.

Josh Mardell (DER): UK-born central midfielder is my tip to claim the Premier League’s Player of the Year award. He protects is a superb distributor, possesses fast hands and a lethal reverse stick strike when afforded opportunities to get forward.

Angus Boulton (DER): The competition’s leading goal scorer this season has a reputation as a renowned finals specialist. He scored in the first minute of their semi final loss and holds a suite of important grand final goals on his record.

Derwent have held the upper hand in their contests this season, registering 5-2, 8-1 and 5-1 wins, but University haunted the Strikers with Elimination Final wins in 2017 and 2018.

“Last week was a huge result to come back from two goals down twice shows immense character from the group,” University forward Paul Ancher said.

“This group seems to find another gear in the post season, and we’ve shown that to be the case again this year. Our results against Derwent haven’t been good this year and they have had a very high conversion rate against us.”

SQUAD LISTS:

Derwent's Josh Mardell and Uni's Josh Brooks will play each other for a spot in the Premier League grand final this weekend. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Derwent

Nathan Fitzpatrick – COACH

Name – Playing Number – Position

Magnus McCausland 99 GK

Linden McCarthy © 5 DEF

Stuart Webb 16 DEF

Torin Bester 12 DEF

Ewan Vickery 14 DEF/MID

Harry Winch 2 DEF

Josh Mardell 39 MID

Keegan Popowski 11 MID/FWD

Henry Curtis 6 MID

Tom Broadby 9 MID

Liam Grundy 40 MID/FWD

James Clifford 10 FWD

Adam Clifford 8 FWD/DEF

Vaughn Bowen 3 FWD

Angus Boulton 1 FWD

Hugh Flassman 38 FWD

University

Ben Read – COACH

Name – Playing Number – Position

James Shepherd 123 GK

Tyler McDonald 20 DEF

Ben Read 15 DEF

Aaron Kitchener 47 DEF

Jono Hodgson 7 MID

Joe Scott 14 DEF

James Dick 22 FWD/MID

Tom Wylie 17 FWD/MID

Paul Ancher 18 FWD

Ashby Bingham 4 MID

Josh Brooks © 5 MID/FWD

Sam Payne 56 DEF

Matt Eaton 16 FWD

Mike McDevitt 12 FWD

Jordan Watson 29 DEF

Will Mollross 13 FWD

“But Ben Read and Tyler McDonald are flicking the ball as well as I’ve seen in years for us so with a tighter defensive performance and come clinical finishing, we’re a real shout.”

Derwent may have given up a 2-0 advantage to fall 3-2 to Graduates, but looked imposing in generating a host of chances, particularly in the first half.

“We were happy with how we started last week’s game with lots of scoring opportunities, but naturally disappointed that we weren’t able to capitalise on our chances,” Derwent midfielder Henry Curtis said.

Derwent's Josh Mardell and Uni's Josh Brooks will play each other for a spot in the Premier League grand final this weekend. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We have identified some things we plan on tweaking and while the scoreline has favoured us in every game against University this season, so we go into this game confident we’ll win if we play the right way.”

“Looking at our last game, it was 5-1 to us but University hit the post twice, while they are consistently a dangerous team come finals time.”

Key players with Ewan Vickery and Will Mollross are in line to earn recalls for Derwent and University respectively.

The match will be live streamed to Mercury subscribers on its website from 1.30pm on Saturday, followed by the women’s Preliminary Final between North-West Graduates and DiamondBacks from 3.30pm.