Doerner boosts NW Grads

THIS WEEK’S men’s Premier League hockey match of the round is a clash between fierce adversaries, so while ladder positions appear consolidated, there will still be plenty riding on the performance.

Ladder leaders North-West Graduates are searching to regain their form after being dismantled by both DiamondBacks and University in recent weeks. Victory for Graduates against Derwent at 1.30pm would sew up the minor premiership and they will regain former Kookaburra Luke Doerner for the clash.

Graduates coach Stephen McMullen says his only focus is getting his side back to winning form..

“This week we need to get back on track so we will be focused purely on that,” McMulTHE len said. “Given the competition is so even, I think any team that is playing well and consistently during September can win the flag so we need to get back to our best hockey.”

Derwent skipper Nick Tremayne says the Strikers have selected 15-year-old defender Ewan Vickery as they look to settle their squad heading into finals.

“I think we are only going to get better from here, after jelling together in recent weeks, but we are realistic enough to know we have a gap to close on the top sides,” Tremayne said.

University and OHA meet at 3pm in the other top-four team match-up, with the Students riding high after their 5-1 thumping of Graduates.

Unfortunately, that win came at a cost, with University losing keeper Jayden Pearson, Fergal Connolly and Ed Pascoe to be covered in part by the selection of John Harvey and Scott Pestrucci.

“It’s important to back up the effort of last week which was a vibrant and energetic performance where we generated opportunities for our forwards through our intensity,” Uni coach Paul Ancher said.

Canterbury hopes to make it consecutive victories against DiamondBacks at 4.30pm.