Premier League Round 16 Review

Published Mon 03 Aug 2026

University Remain Top as Battle for Final Finals Spot Ignites

Ladder leaders, University, continue to set the pace in the Men’s Premier League, recording a 4–2 victory over North West Graduates in their top-of-the-table Round 16 clash.

Player-coach Ben Read produced a masterful exhibition of drag flicking, scoring all four of his side’s goals from penalty corners to fire University to victory. The Bulldogs rallied from 3–0 down, with goals from Oli Stebbings and Harvey Bessell cutting the deficit to 3–2, before Read shut the door early in the final quarter with his fourth.

DiamondBacks were unable to take full advantage of the Bulldogs’ defeat, but still moved above them into second place on goal difference, after being held to a 1–1 draw by Derwent. Ewan Vickey cancelled out Joshua Walker’s opener, with the point also lifting Derwent into the competition’s top four.

The battle for fourth place is heating up, with OHA igniting the race further by defeating Canterbury 2–1 and closing to within two points. A stunning opening goal from Joseph Murphy handed the Ships the lead before Matthew Murphy doubled their advantage less than a minute later. George Kitchener pulled one back for the Lions, but it was not enough to deny OHA a crucial victory. The win also secured OHA the Stay ChatTY Cup for 2026.

With four rounds remaining, the bottom three sides are now separated by just two points in the battle for the fourth and last finals position.

Lions Stun Ships to Boost Finals Hopes

The Women’s Premier League also produced plenty of drama, with Canterbury causing an upset by holding OHA to a 3–3 draw.

OHA appeared on course for victory after goals from Zayna Jackson, Julia Gunn and Madeline Nogajski handed them a 3–1 lead midway through the third quarter after Nika Van Paridon had got the Lions on the board. However, Sadie Rogers pulled one back late in the term before Prue Dougan showed slick stickhandling at the back post to score with just two minutes remaining.

The late equaliser earned Canterbury a potentially pivotal point, closing the gap to fourth-placed University to just three points. The two sides are still scheduled to meet twice during the final month of the season. The result was extra significant for the fact it was the first time a side from 4th-6th place on the ladder has taken points from a top 3 side all season.

Ladder leaders North West Graduates did not have things all their own way either, with University pushing them in an eventual 2–1 victory. A first-half double from the competition’s leading goalscorer, Ashleigh Arthur, gave the Bulldogs a 2–0 advantage before Harriet Sproule halved the deficit early in the final quarter. The ladder leaders held firm to claim all three points and extend their advantage at the top.

DiamondBacks had no such trouble, dispatching Derwent 6–0 behind a five-goal haul from Tigers star Phillida Bridley. The dangerous forward was at the top of her game, delivering a scintillating individual display to fire her side into second place on the ladder. Ella Berresford scored the other goal in the emphatic victory.

Round 16 Results

Women’s

Oha 3-3 Canterbury Goal Highlights

University 1-2 NWG Goal Highlights

DiamondBacks 6-0 Derwent Goal Highlights

Men’s

University 4-2 NWG Goal Highlights Goal Highlights

OHA 2-1 Canterbury Goal Highlights

DiamondBacks 1-1 Derwent Goal Highlights

Ladders

Men