Derwent ‘lucky’ to defeat University as DiamondBacks run rampant over Canterbury

Derwent has walked away with a “lucky” win against University while DiamondBacks cruised past Canterbury in Premier League Hockey. MATCH REPORTS AND FULL REPLAYS >>

A LAST-minute penalty corner goal from Eliza Westland helped Derwent defeat University 2-1 in women’s Premier League action and jump into second position.

The Strikers were far from their best for the majority but took an early lead through Sophie Rockefeller before the Students lifted and caused plenty of headaches with large periods of possession.

Watch the full match replay in the video player above

University found an equaliser through Maddy Hinton with a penalty corner goal and in truth it was nothing less than they deserved.

But with the seconds ticking away, Derwent earned a set piece and Lou Maddock’s slip pass was crashed home by Westland for the late winner.

“We’ve had a displaced last two weeks, so it’ll be nice to regroup and get everyone back on the same page, as well as having Jess Cotton (nee Tremayne) back training this week,” Derwent’s Keegan Popowski said.

“I thought Uni played well and took their opportunities. Our girls know they were lucky to come away with the points and they’ve let standards slip, but it’s a positive group of girls so they’ll look to improve and work hard.

“I think we can match up well against the other top four teams and we have a few ideas and adjustments we also plan to make.”

DiamondBacks star Emily Donovan tore Canterbury apart with a five-goal haul in their 6-1 win, as they moved to third place.

Watch the full match replay below

Derwent delivers ruthless hockey lesson to Students

DERWENT and Canterbury have ended the fifth round on top of the table in the men’s Premier League hockey season after big wins over University and DiamondBacks respectively.

Stinging from a 4-3 loss to North-West Graduates last weekend, Derwent responded with a ruthless display to defeat the Students 6-0.

Paul Ancher haunted his former side with two goals to take his season tally to six in four games, while Derwent leaders Vaughn Bowen and Josh Mardell returned to their best.

Bowen, Angus Boulton, Keegan Popowski, and Ruben Hoey also found the net in the clinical team performance, with the latter scoring his first Premier League goal.

The loss leaves University, beaten 2020 grand finalists, at the foot of the table without a point and a -12 goal difference.

University’s James Dick slips past Derwent’s Linden McCarthy. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We had some pretty honest conversations and reviewed the tape midweek after lowering our colours against Graduates, and the boys all responded in the right way,” skipper Linden McCarthy said. “University was missing a few regulars, but we still played and worked for each other across all four quarters.”

Ashby Bingham and stand-in goalkeeper Henry Larkin were among University’s best performers.

Canterbury and DiamondBacks played out an entertaining and relatively even first three-quarters of the match, before the Lions took a foothold to win 4-1.

Lions skipper Sam McCulloch will fly out to Perth for a week-long stint training with the Kookaburras Olympic squad with plenty of confidence after scoring two goals in a best afield display.

Ashby Bingham was among University’s best in their big loss. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Canterbury opened the scoring just before half time with a scrambled goal, before Oscar Pritchard was credited with DiamondBacks’ equaliser from a penalty corner flick from older brother Oliver.

But the final term belonged to the Lions.

They poured on three unanswered goals, with McCulloch dominant and Ian McHugh also netting a set-piece rebound.

DiamondBacks defender Angus Yeates continued his solid start to the season against his former club.

Smooth sailing for Ships over Graduates

OHA has landed a double blow against North-West Graduates under lights as round five of Premier League hockey began last night.

The Ships ladies edged second-placed Graduates 2-1 in a tough contest that was decided in fortuitous circumstances late on.

OHA playing-coach Sarah McCambridge was the beneficiary, netting the winner for her side after her shot on target deflected in off Graduates defender Ruby Brothers’ elbow.

“It’s great to get back in the winning score sheet (after a 0-0 draw with Canterbury). It was a great passing game for our team tonight,” McCambridge said post-match.

“We used the free player and made some good ground and while we were unfortunate not to have Maddi and Taylor Brooks available, it shows the strength of the side.”

The early stages of the match resembled a game of chess as both sides stalked each other’s moves before Graduates opened the scoring through Ash Arthur’s tomahawk strike in the 20th minute.

Sarah McCambridge’s late goal sealed the win for OHA. Picture: Zak Simmonds

OHA struck back after McCambridge’s driving run and shot was deflected home by Eloise Crombie, an accomplished A-Grade past player with DiamondBacks and OHA over a decade ago who has returned to Tasmania.

The crucial goal set the stage for McCambridge’s eventual winner and the coach was full of praise for her return to the club after raising a family in Perth.

“Eloise was in the perfect position for the goal at the back post. She hasn’t lost her ability to read the game and get into the right positions,” McCambridge added.

“It’s always good to have key players back in the fold who were key players in the past. She has enjoyed being welcomed back into the team.”

In the men’s clash, OHA claimed a 3-1 win after two goals to Sam McCambridge and another from Kurt Budgeon late on.

The first half started in a similar vein to the women’s clash before McCambridge opened the scoring, despite protests from the Graduates defence.

Jai Walker-Kidd found an equaliser for Graduates early in the last quarter, before McCambridge quickly reinstated the Ships’ advantage.

With time the enemy, Graduates gambled with 11 field players late on but were punished with Budgeon’s late goal.