Ships set sail for history

OHA begin their quest to chase history — a fifth men’s Premier League hockey title against North-West Graduates at 4.30pm today.

Premiership coach Nick Leslie and women’s coach Sarah McCambridge will aim to guide their Ships sides to glory in the club’s 100th year.

“In a milestone year … there is always an added incentive to work that little bit harder and make the most of the wonderful opportunity we have this year,” Leslie said.

“This season we have a very unique opportunity to become the most successful dynasty in our competition’s history.

“At present there are three teams who have won four consecutive premierships: Burnie Baptists in the 1940s, Derwent in 2009 and us last year.”

OHA is without four prem- iership stars in James Thomas, Sam Keating, Ollie Smith and Sam McCambridge for the early rounds.

“The guys that I am expecting to carry a fair share of the load while we still have players away are Will Smith, Joseph Murphy, Alex Moir and Jez Walter,” Leslie said.

Runner-up University opens its campaign against Canterbury at 3pm, while Derwent and DiamondBacks start their seasons under new coaches at 6pm. The women’s competition pits last year’s grand finalists North-West Graduates and OHA against each other, with the Ships out to extract revenge from 6pm.

DiamondBacks and Derwent had to be separated in a penalty shootout in an enthralling elimination final and renew their rivalry from 3pm, while Canterbury and University clash from 4.30pm.