Ships shaping up as finals drawing near
SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2019 themercury.com.au SUBSCRIPTIONS 1300 696 397 JUST two points separate third-placed Canterbury and fifth-placed University entering Round 19, making this weekend’s men’s Premier League hockey matches a tantalising affair.
Four-time premier OHA sits between the pair, equal on points with the Students and needing a positive result against the Lions from 6pm.
The green army are sure to be out in force after they fell to a disappointing 4-2 loss to University last week, despite winning the shot count 15-7 and having 29-16 more circle entries.
The Ships had several opportunities saved off the goal line and struck the woodwork twice for good measure.
“Sam Keating may play the second half, but Kurt Mackey is out and Isaac Bridley comes in,” OHA coach Nick Leslie said. “We were disappointed with the result from last week, especially after reviewing the game, and I couldn’t really fault a lot regarding the way we played overall. James Thomas was very unlucky on the weekend with his flicks, so he will keep plugging away and I’m pretty confident they will start hitting the back of the net very soon.”
Canterbury played Jamie Pinner in goals last week, on loan from South Launceston, and will also feature Kurt Budgeon to apply pressure to OHA goalkeeper Henry Chambers.
“Henry is a very headstrong player and will bounce back this weekend. He didn’t have a great day last Saturday, but these things happen, so you have to learn from it and move forward which is exactly what he has done over the last week,” Leslie said.
Victory would guarantee the majority of Canterbury’s playing squad their first finals Premier League appearance, including skipper Sam McCulloch.
North-West Graduates star Alistair White will look to continue his breakout season with a dominant display against DiamondBacks from 3pm.
Graduates will be hoping to finetune their finals preparations after Graduates sealed the minor premiership last week.
Derwent’s Ewan Vickery will be the commanding defender for Derwent against a resurgent University side from 4.30pm, with the Strikers missing defenders Stuart Webb and Torin Bester.