First Grade Round 2 Review

Published Mon 30 Mar 2026

Men's First Grade

Round 2 of First Grade action was headlined by a goal fest between DiamondBacks and NWG, as the Snakes scored a 6-4 victory in a free-scoring contest. DiamondBacks exploded out of the blocks, as Joshua Walker struck twice in the first quarter before completing his hat-trick midway through the second quarter with a superb solo effort to hand his side a 3-0 lead. But the Bulldogs would rally back with Nathan Grace and Tyson Bessell cutting the lead to just one goal, before Walker fired home his fourth of the contest, the best of the lot, beating a defender before picking out the top corner with the reverse stick. Harley Wilkie and Fergus Doerner would score fourth-quarter goals for NWG, either side of Mitchell Walker adding another for DiamondBacks, as it ended 6-4.

OHA made it two wins from two games to start the season, as they won a thriller over University 3-2, thanks to a pair of goals from Joshua Foulston. Toby West opened the scoring early in the match for the Ships, but Fergus Crawford cancelled it out midway through the second quarter. Foulston bagged his first to restore his side's lead shortly before half-time, but Fergus Crawford again found the back of the net to square things up with a quarter to play. With full time looming, it was Foulston who struck again for the Ships and secured the 3-2 victory.

Finally, Canterbury opened up their account for season 2026, downing Derwent 3-0. Peter Mackey managed the lone goal of the first half as he found the bottom corner, before Nathan Kuun latched onto a long ball and smashed a first-time finish from the top of the circle for the goal of the game. Jamie Innes then rounded out the scoring as he converted a penalty corner in the final term to seal the victory.

Women's First Grade

DiamondBacks remained top of the table as they accounted for NWG 1-0, with a single goal coming from a penalty corner via Sophie West, enough to secure the three points. The snakes threatened to double their lead throughout the contest, but couldn't find a second despite having the best of the match and winning a penalty stroke, which they failed to convert.

Hot on their heels are OHA, who also maintained a 100% winning record to start the season, as they fought back to overcome University 3-1. Sophie Hawson had handed the Students the lead, but Sarah Blackwood quickly responded to restore parity. Julia Cavanough put OHA ahead in the second quarter before Georgina Carter extended their lead and provided some breathing room with her third-quarter strike. That would be the end of the scoring, setting up an early top-of-the-table showdown between OHA and DiamondBacks when rosters resume after the Easter Break.