Maroons face test with long list of outs

stocks, while the Lions will need to find goals without leading scorer Sam McCulloch.

OHA will be without Oli and Will Smith, Jo Murphy and Will Boyce as they aim to consolidate top position against DiamondBacks at 3pm.

Jayden Vince, Harry Winch, Ned Paynter and Nicholas Spandler will each be given an opportunity to step up. DIAMONDBACKS’ threematch unbeaten run in the women’s Premier Hockey League and resurgence up the ladder will face its toughest challenge when they run headfirst into OHA at 4.30pm.

The Maroons have been decimated by unavailability with Philly Bridley, Georgia Williams, Em Donovan, Skye Lawler, Laura Harrison and Nicola Young all missing.

A ray of sunshine has seen Isabel Goldsmith’s return but DiamondBacks coach Rowan Bridley knows his side will be up against it with OHA smarting from conceding top spot on the ladder.

“It’s a tough weekend for us against OHA, who I think only lose Jess Chesterman so they will be a very hard team to beat with this many outs,” Bridley conceded. “We have started to make some positive steps forward but this is going to be a very tough game.”

OHA coach Sarah McCambridge is also priming her side for a high-scoring performance, focusing on capitalising on the opportunities that have gone begging in recent weeks.

Derwent overcame an opening round 0-0 draw with University, to pick their way through the Students’ defence last time out in a 4-0 win.

The challenge becomes harder for the Strikers at 3pm with Eliza Westland, Molly Haas, Jess Tremayne, Sophie Rockefeller and Ruby Bayley all away.

Olivia Canning and Zoe Crawford are two capable replacements, while University must find a path to goal without Maddy Hinton, Shona Manning and Jas Allnutt.

Reigning premiers NorthWest Graduates returned to the summit by virtue of goal difference and will be seeking to bury their attacking forays against Canterbury, at 6pm.