Mercury (Hobart)

GRADS IN A BID TO STRETCH THE GAP

- ADAM CLIFFORD

TODAY’S noon Premier Hockey League clash with Derwent presents second-placed North-West Graduates with a golden chance to pull eight points clear of third spot.

Graduates had Derwent’s measure a little over a month ago, cruising to a 3-0 win with goals to Grace Calvert, Alex Mainwaring and Lucinda Scutt.

Coach Josh Mardell is sticking with the same group that defeated fourth-placed DiamondBac­ks 3-1 last weekend.

“We are happy with how we are progressin­g and the next two weeks against Derwent and OHA will be a good measure for us,” Mardell said.

One player that has caught the eye in recent victories has been former Victorian U/21 player Kelsey Lewis, placing her in the frame to play for the Tassie Tigers.

“Hopefully, lots of people nominate for Hockey One and have a crack at it, but certainly Kelsey has settled in really nicely with the whole group and bring some more depth,” Mardell said.

In the opposition camp, Derwent coach Keegan Popowski has recalled Beth Dobbie as his side seeks to keep in touch with the top two.

“We want to be more aggressive and play high risk, high reward hockey. When we stick to our plan,

we are getting results, but it must be for the full sixty minutes that we stay accountabl­e to our plan,” Popowski said. “As for Hockey One, I hope all the 2019 premiershi­p players from Derwent nominate again, including Amelia Spence, but

it would be particular­ly great to get Eliza Westland back into the Tigers.”

In the women’s Premier League’s other Saturday round, DiamondBac­ks will be again out to defeat University after their previous 2-1 win in round four.

The pair go head-to-head (4.30pm) with goalkeeper­s Georgia Ferguson (UNI) and Cami Vaughn (DBACKS) set to have a big say in the result. OHA and Canterbury will have some extra time to prepare for their Tuesday night clash at 8pm.

 ??  ?? Kelsey Lewis of North West Grads battles with Josie Short of the DiamondBac­ks. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones
Kelsey Lewis of North West Grads battles with Josie Short of the DiamondBac­ks. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

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