First Grade Round 1 Review

First Grade Men

The Men's First Grade season began with OHA securing a 4-2 victory over Canterbury. Nathanael Wassif handed Canterbury the early advantage before Keeley Butler-Kerridge and Patrick McDevitt responded to give OHA a 2-1 halftime lead. Goals from Aaron Guilliamse and rising young star, Tai Tran-Lau, then saw the Ships pull away. Evan Seager clawed back a consolation goal for the Lions in the final quarter but it wasn't enough to deny the defending premiers. 

2025 runners-up, University started their season on a high note as they accounted for NWG 3-2. Ewan Podmore opened the scoring just five minutes into the match before Nathan Grace responded just before quarter time for the Bulldogs. James Paynter restored the Students' advantage, before Podmore's second sealed the contest late on and locked away a 3-1 victory.

A Joey Bush hat-trick helped fire DiamondBacks to a 5-0 victory over Derwent. After a scoreless opening first quarter, Bush set the DiamondBacks off and running before Mitchell Walker doubled the advantage shortly after. Joshua Walker extended the Snakes lead in the third term, before another pair of goals from Bush in the final term saw him complete his treble and secure a comfortable win. 

Round 1 Results

OHA 4-2 Canterbury

University 3-1 NWG

Derwent 5-0 DiamondBacks

First Grade Women

The Women's first-grade season got underway with OHA claiming a first-up victory over Canteberury in a tight contest. Eve Sylvester scored the opening goal for the Ships five minutes into the game, but it was quickly cancelled out by Sophie Lucas. Julia Cavanough restored OHA's lead early in the third term, and from there they held on, with no change to the score till the final whistle. 

NWG secured a narrow victory over University, with a lone goal settling the contest. After 3 goalless quarters, it was Edelweiss du Plessis who eventually broke the stalemate and secured the victory for the Bulldogs. 

In the final game of the round, defending Premiers DiamondBacks picked up where they left off, by securing a 5-0 win over Derwent. Kara Gill struck twice in the opening quarter before Laura Harrison and Evie Tucker extended the side's lead to send them into the sheds with a 4-0 advantage. Derwent stiffened defensively in the second half, as DiamondBacks added just one more goal, coming via Hannah Johnson.  

Round 1 Results

OHA 2-1 Canteberbury

NWG 1-0 University 

DiamondBacks 5-0 Derwent