Watch the North West Graduates take on University

As part of the Mercury’s commitment to live sport, we’ll be bringing you two matches every week from Tasmania’s hockey Premier League. Read the reports and replay Saturday’s two matches here >>

OHA's Sarah McCambridge attacks goal as Diamondbacks Kara Gill defends. Picture Eddie Safarik

• ANALYSIS: Players to watch in the Premier League
• Times for today’s hockey Premier League matches

AS PART of the Mercury’s commitment to live sport, we’ll be bringing you two matches every week from Tasmania’s hockey Premier League.

Replay the matches, read the report from our resident hockey expert Adam Clifford and tune in next week for the next round.

OHA STILL THE TEAM TO BEAT

Defending Champions OHA confirmed their flag favouritism but some serious title challengers also emerged in the opening round of the women’s Premier League.

The Ships stormed the DiamondBacks goal in the opening term, but the heroics of Maroons goalkeeper Cami Vaughn kept her side level at 0-0 at quarter time.

OHA capitalised on their territorial advantage in the second period, with two goals from Maddison Brooks and Julia Gunn.

DiamondBacks asserted themselves in the third term and took control, with Emily Donovan’s raking incisive pass to sister Kara Gill, eventually seeing Sophie Shirley scoring her debut Premier League goal.

With the scores 2-1 it was very much game on and ascendancy seesawed between the pair, before OHA’s Sarah McCambridge put the result to bed late on by adding the Ships third.

OHA’s Isabelle Kruimink and DiamondBacks’ Vaughn both produced eye-catching displays, with OHA goalkeeper Evie Dalton admitting it was a thrilling opener of the season.

“The first half saw us have a stronger hold on the game, however DiamondBacks fought hard and well to equal the field in the second half,” Dalton said.

“Camilla Vaughn was a standout for their side, making crucial saves and shutting us down multiple times.”

“We know that DiamondBacks are going to bring a competitive game whenever we meet during the year.”

Dalton and DiamondBacks midfielder Philly Bridley will now head to Canberra today, as part of Australia’s 43 athlete Junior World Cup training camp, hoping to be the first Tasmanian selected athlete in years.

“Unfortunately, we miss next weekend’s round of Premier League games, but we’ll be cheering our teams on watching the Mercury’s online stream,” Dalton added.

In other action, Derwent and North-West Graduates both ran out comfortable winners and flexed their attacking muscle.

The Strikers accounted for Canterbury 8-0, with Claire Saltmarsh netting a hat-trick, while Graduates thumped University 7-0 thanks to Grace Calvert and Ash Arthur combing for five goals.

REPLAY THE 1.30PM CLASH BETWEEN DIAMONDBACKS AND OHA HERE >>

GRADUATES DOWN UNIVERSITY IN GRAND FINAL REPEAT

It was a case of another year, same result with North-West Graduates replicating their 2020 grand final shutdown of University.

Graduates emerged 2-0 winners, with Jai Walker-Kidd and Digory McCormack both scoring for Graduates in a composed display from the reigning premiers.

University arguably had the better of the early opportunities but their penalty corner battery of Tyler McDonald and Ben Read failed to breach Graduates’ defences, which called upon skipper James Bourke at one stage to clear expertly off the goal line.

Graduates coach Rod Clifford was pleased to bank three important points in their season opener and felt his side improved the longer the game wore on.

“It was an even first quarter and then I felt we controlled the game after that, creating numerous opportunities and eventually capitalised from a penalty corner and then a nicely worked field goal.”

“Gobind Gill was the best on ground with his tackling, interceptions and incisive passing and he looks primed for his best ever season.”

On Friday night, Derwent just edged past Canterbury 2-1 despite enjoying a 38-7 advantage from circle entries.

Goals to James Clifford and Keegan Popowski were reward for their dominance of possession, but an inability to put the game away saw a tricky conclusion to the match after Lions youngster Lachie Rogers scored.

OHA started their season in perfect fashion, welcoming back James Thomas with a 4-0 win against DiamondBacks.

The match was best remembered for Sam McCambridge’s incredible second goal, a first-time lob of the goalkeeper to seal the point and kickstart the new season for the Ships.

Fellow teammates Jake Morton and Ollie Smith also produced eye catching displays, while DiamondBacks goalkeeper Grant Woodcock shaded Oli and Jack Pritchard for the best player accolade.

REPLAY THE 3PM MATCH BETWEEN THE NORTH WEST GRADUATES AND UNIVERSITY HERE >>

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