Premier League Round 9 Review

Midweek Recap: Sproule Show Rolls On: DiamondBacks Move Top

A midweek Round 9 set of Premier League fixtures delivered significant movement across both the Men's and Women's competitions, and was a good one for the defending Premiers, as University continued their free scoring ways in the Men’s competition, whilst DiamondBacks moved top in the Women’s.

In the Men’s Premier League, DiamondBacks opened the round in impressive fashion on Tuesday night, scoring a commanding 5-0 victory over third-placed Canterbury, extending their advantage over the Lions to five points and further cementing their place in second position.

Tyler McDonald opened the scoring in the first quarter before Oliver and Oscar Pritchard struck twice in the space of two minutes early in the third term to break the game open. Oliver Pritchard then added his second with a remarkable finish from an acute angle before rising young star Joey Bush completed the scoring with a spectacular strike of his own.

Competition leaders University responded emphatically later in the round, producing another attacking masterclass to defeat Derwent 8-2 and extend their lead at the top of the Men's ladder. Despite Jarrod Cunningham giving the Strikers an early lead and the sides entering halftime locked at 1-1, University erupted after the break with seven second-half goals.

Oscar Sproule continued his extraordinary form, recording a fourth consecutive hat-trick to take his tally to 14 goals from his past four matches. Ben Read added two goals, while Ashby Bingham, Keenan Johnson and Ruben Hoey also found the scoresheet. Jacob Rugless scored Derwent's second goal late in the contest.

Sproule's red-hot form comes at the perfect time as he prepares to join fellow Tasmanians Lachie Rogers, Max Larkin, Magnus McCausland, Jack Pritchard, Oscar Pritchard and Ollie Stebbings in the Australia A squad for upcoming matches against China.

On Wednesday night, North West Graduates also strengthened their finals credentials, claiming a second consecutive victory with a convincing 6-1 win over OHA to move into third place. Oliver Stebbings opened the scoring from a penalty corner before Harvey Bessell doubled the advantage with a spectacular finish. Sam Meikle then struck twice in the third quarter as the Bulldogs took complete control of the contest.

Rhys Wilkinson briefly gave OHA hope with a goal, but second goals to both Stebbings and Bessell in the final quarter completed an emphatic victory for North West Graduates.

The Women's Premier League proved equally compelling, with ladder leaders DiamondBacks forced to work hard for a crucial 1-0 victory over Canterbury. The Lions defended resolutely and held the competition leaders scoreless through three quarters before Belinda Page finally broke the deadlock midway through the final term, redirecting a penalty corner to secure the vital win.

OHA then produced their biggest victory of the season, defeating North West Graduates 2-1 and dramatically tightening the race at the top of the table. Sarah McCambridge won a penalty stroke late in the first half, which Taylor Brooks converted to give the Ships a 1-0 halftime advantage.

After Bobbie Hamlett produced a brilliant save to deny Ashleigh Arthur an equaliser, OHA captain Julia Gunn blasted home a penalty corner to extend the lead. Louisa Jacobson pulled a goal back late for the Bulldogs, but OHA held firm to secure an important three points.

The result prevented North West Graduates from reclaiming top spot from DiamondBacks and leaves just three points separating the top three sides, setting up a fascinating battle for a top-two finish and the valuable finals double chance.

On Thursday night, University secured an important victory, overcoming a spirited Derwent outfit 4-1. Derwent celebrated their first goal of the season when Anabelle Wicks cancelled out Essie Pelham's opener, leaving the scores level at 1-1 heading into the final quarter.

However, University's found their scoring touch in the last term, as Holly Teale restored the lead before Pelham grabbed her second goal of the night. Catherine Webster completed the scoring into an empty net after Derwent elected to pull their goalkeeper in search of an equaliser.

The victory opens a six-point gap between fourth-placed University and fifth place Canterbury to give them a handy cushion ahead of Round 10, which will take place on Saturday 13 June, with no matches over the long weekend.