Chasing a cutting edge
Rivals battle to banish the memory of rare defeats and hit the goal trail
PERENNIAL title rivals North-West Graduates and Derwent are both on the bounce back after disappointing losses and meet in an intriguing men’s Premier League match of the week from 3pm.
Statisticians have been scrambling without luck to uncover the last time both sides failed to even score a goal in the same weekend, after Graduates fell 4-0 to Diamond
Backs and Derwent lost 2-0 to OHA. It was a dirty day for the defending champions, with skipper James Bourke falling ill and Gobind Gill breaking his nose in the third quarter, but Gill says the squad has quickly put that result in the past.
“We get Jai Walker-Kidd back this week which will be key for our penalty corner battery, but last week is in the past because we had players missing and we weren’t up to the task from the get-go,” Gill said.
“We created more chances as we know we will each week, but our finesse in the front third is what we’re looking to reward ourselves with and we’re still looking to be versatile with players.
A fast start saw Graduates defeat Derwent 4-3 last time out and Gill hopes his side can repeat the processes that got them the points in round four.
“We were clinical last time, putting away opportunities and it goes to show what we can do when we do value possession in the attacking circle,” Gill said.
Fresh off their best win in five years, DiamondBacks have regained George Oliver for his first Premier League match of the season with club stalwart Richard Gard making way.
The Rattle Snakes face University (1.30pm) in what will also be a club debut for Jordan Struthers in the Students’ goal.
Struthers was a squad member in Graduates 2020 Premier League title and University coach Ben Read is delighted with his mid-season signing.
“Jordan is a very handy pick-up. He’s an enthusiastic young goalkeeper who exhibits real speed in his movement around the circle,” Read said.
The Premier League will split over the next six rounds with a combination of Saturday matches and Tuesday night matches. OHA and Canterbury present a mouth-watering first midweek contest on Tuesday night (6.30pm), with victory for the Lions able to push the pair level on six wins.