Uni to face tough examination

UNIVERSITY has made the women’s Premier League hockey competition stand up and take notice after a fourgame winning streak.

But that golden run faces its fiercest test when it clashes with ladder-leader NorthWest Graduates at 3pm today.

Graduates are on a 10-game winning streak and Uni coach Vanessa McDonald is calling on her side to continue its rapid improvement.

“We need to keep our structure, particularly in midfield, and a lot of NorthWest’s drive comes from their back half so we need to apply reverse pressure,” McDonald explained.

“Emily Newbold and Ash Arthur have provided grief for us at both ends in our previous matches so we will need to fix our defensive marking and apply more pressure in attack to be a threat.”

Graduates have lost Clare Rojahn and Ellie Brennan from their winning side, but regain Anne Dunk to their set rotations.

“Our focus is on preparing for finals. We have worked hard to secure a spot and preparing for the challenges ahead is our priority, but a win this week against an in-form opponent is a terrific challenge,” Grads coach Chris Hazelwood said.

In other matches, Derwent and OHA need virtual miracles to get back in the finals hunt and they must first overcome DiamondBacks and Canterbury respectively.

DiamondBacks are unchanged and looking to get back to winning ways with better basic skills after two consecutive losses stalled their run at the minor premiership.

OHA is without Laura Spandler and Georgina Carter, but hope to regain Dayna Challis from injury.

Canterbury has lost Camille O’Conor as she embarks on a US college scholarship, with coach Dan Mills expecting a tough clash at 4.30pm. O’Conor joins OHA midfielder Maddy Murphy as Tasmanians who have recently relocated to the US, combining hockey with their studies.