Shaking a stick at bad form

TOP four pair North-West Graduates and University will hope to snap some indifferent recent form and set a marker for a successful men’s Premier League finals series when they clash at 1.30pm today.

Graduates sent shockwaves through the competition for all the wrong reasons last week as the flag favourites were thumped 5-2 by DiamondBacks, while the Students once again struggled to overcome the wooden spooners, drawing 2-2 with Canterbury.

North-West has lost Luke Doerner from last week’s side and coach Stephen McMullen labelled his side’s performance last week as “stupid hockey”.

“We didn’t adapt well to the challenge and played some stupid hockey. Everyone, including me, is accountable for this style and we have discussed this as a group,” McMullen said before reverting to the positives.

“In a way, I’m glad that we have had a reality check for the group as it helps reset us for the job ahead.”

University coach Paul Ancher said North-West’s ability to score goals set it apart from the competition, but is confident his side’s best hockey can trouble them.

“They play a fast and entertaining brand of hockey and they seem to have a wide variety of options to score in that department, but that does open them up going the other way,” Ancher said.

“Jai Walker-Kidd’s ability to make incisive passes from the back to the strikers has the potential to cut a team open, so we’ll be looking to manage that threat.”

DiamondBacks farewelled Kookaburras star Josh Beltz, but regain Lewis Short, Callum Tabor and Aron Flatten for the 4.30pm game against Derwent.

Victory for either side will go a long way to securing finals hockey, with Derwent selecting goalkeeper James Lambert for his first Premier League game of the year.

Canterbury faces OHA at 3pm, with Lions coach Will Lawler confident his side matches up well against a Ships side minus defender James Thomas (suspension).