With three rounds remaining, the battles for finals places and the double chance that comes with a top-two finish are going down to the wire.
The biggest games carrying finals implications this weekend come in the Women’s Premier League, beginning with Canterbury taking on University in an enormous clash in the race for fourth place.
The Lions moved past University last weekend and now occupy fourth by the slimmest of margins, just a single goal on goal difference, with both sides locked on 14 points.
University still have a winnable fixture against Derwent to come, which could prove pivotal given that only once has either side taken a point from one of the competition’s top three teams. That makes this match particularly crucial for Canterbury, who can open a three-point buffer with victory. A draw would leave the Lions narrowly ahead with two rounds remaining but hand University the edge in the battle for fourth.
University won the first two meetings between the sides this season, but their recent midweek catch-up match ended in a 1-1 draw.
The other game carrying enormous finals implications will see OHA take on DiamondBacks, with the double chance firmly on the line.
Just a single point separates the competition’s top three sides, meaning victory for either team would be a major step towards securing a top-two finish. DiamondBacks’ impressive victory over North West Graduates last weekend was particularly significant, moving them one point clear of the Ships. A draw this weekend would therefore leave DiamondBacks in control of their destiny, provided they win their final two games of the season, both of which they will enter as heavy favourites.
The results between the sides underline how evenly matched they have been, with one win apiece and a draw from their three meetings. The most recent encounter ended in a 3-0 victory for the Ships.
Sandwiched between those two games is Derwent’s meeting with North West Graduates.
The Bulldogs’ lead at the top was cut last weekend, but they remain well positioned to secure the double chance. Should OHA defeat DiamondBacks this week and then NWG in Round 19, second place could come down to goal difference. With just two goals currently separating the Bulldogs and Ships, NWG will undoubtedly be eager to record a sizeable victory in this clash, as they have in all three meetings with the Strikers this season.
However, the young Derwent outfit have continued to improve as the season has progressed, reducing the margin in each of those encounters. Their past month has also produced several encouraging performances, including their first point of the season.
The Men’s Premier League will see the top three sides take on the teams placed fourth through sixth. While each match has a clear favourite, the potential for significant ladder movement remains if an underdog can produce an upset.
The day will begin with Derwent meeting North West Graduates.
The Bulldogs’ defeat to DiamondBacks last weekend saw them fall two points behind in the battle for the double chance, leaving them unable to afford another slip-up. They were held to a 2-2 draw by Derwent in a recent midweek clash, which was the second time they have taken a point from the Bulldogs this year, although they were without Burras duo Angus McMullen and Oli Stebbings.
Derwent currently hold fourth place by a single point over Canterbury after securing a crucial 1-1 draw with the Lions last weekend.
That result leaves Canterbury needing to find a way to upset one of the competition’s top three sides during the final rounds. The toughest of those assignments comes this weekend against University, who secured the minor premiership with a commanding 7-2 victory over OHA last week.
The Lions produced a 3-3 draw against University in their first meeting of the season, although the minor premiers have comfortably won the two subsequent encounters.
The remaining match will see OHA face DiamondBacks.
OHA’s path to the finals, which appeared unthinkable at the halfway point of the season, likely requires them to defeat Derwent on the final day of the regular season. However, to remain within striking distance ahead of that fixture, they will also need to beat either DiamondBacks this weekend or North West Graduates next week, or draw with both.
The Ships currently sit four points behind Derwent, but their inferior goal difference means the gap is effectively five points, as they are unlikely to prevail in any tiebreaker.
DiamondBacks have had OHA’s measure this season, winning their three meetings 4-0, 4-1 and 7-0, meaning the Ships will need to produce a significant turnaround to keep their finals hopes alive.
