Stiles Electrical Premier League Round 6 wrap

From lively clashes in Kalgoorlie to hard-fought battles decided by narrow margins or ending in draws, the Regional Round of the Stiles Electrical Premier League delivered no shortage of excitement.

Women's

YMCC returned to form with a commanding 3-0 win over Whitford, keeping a clean sheet in front of a lively Kalgoorlie crowd.

The match, held on Saturday 17 May at the Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association as part of the Stiles Electrical Premier League’s Regional Round, a headline event of the Goldfields Festival of Hockey.

YMCC made an early statement, with Pippa Bairstow finding the back of the net in the third minute following a penalty corner attempt. Despite further pressure and multiple penalty corners, Whitford’s defence held firm to keep the score at 1-0 at the first break.

Whitford gained some momentum in the second quarter, but YMCC’s import Shoko Kanefuji doubled the lead with a well-taken goal from a penalty corner, giving YMCC a 2-0 advantage at halftime.

The third quarter was a hard-fought arm wrestle, but YMCC broke the deadlock early in the final term through a Charlotte Keogh field goal. Whitford pushed to get back into the contest, but YMCC's defence held strong to seal the 3-0 result.

Around the grounds in Perth, Abby Davies scored twice to help Reds edge out WASPS 2-1, Suburban Lions claimed a narrow 2-1 win over UWA, Victoria Park overcame North Coast Raiders 4-2, and Melville and Hale finished level at 2-2.

Men's

Despite a fast start from Whitford, YMCC surged home to claim a convincing 5-1 win in front of an enthusiastic Kalgoorlie crowd.

The match took place on Saturday 17 May at the Eastern Goldfields Hockey Association turf as part of the Stiles Electrical Premier League’s Regional Round, a marquee fixture during the Goldfields Festival of Hockey.

Whitford came out firing in a high-intensity opening quarter, with end-to-end play keeping the crowd on edge. Their early pressure paid off when Fraser Heigh converted a penalty corner to give Whitford a 1-0 lead at the first break.

YMCC pressed hard for a response in the second quarter, but Whitford’s defence held firm—until the dying moments of the half, when Cooper Burns broke through to level the scores 1-1 heading into halftime.

That goal proved to be a turning point.

After the break, YMCC hit their stride. Luke Blee and Jacob Anderson found the net in the third quarter, putting YMCC two goals clear. They maintained the momentum in the final term, with Burns adding his second and Blee completing his brace to seal an emphatic 5-1 victory.

Around the grounds in Perth, Fremantle Cockburn edged Westside Wolves in a 4-3 thriller, Reds overcame WASPS 5-2, UWA dominated Mods-OGM 8-0, Melville and Hale played out a 1-1 draw, and Victoria Park defeated North Coast Raiders 4-1.

Premier Division 2

In the Women's competiton, Fremantle Cockburn struck early and held firm to secure a 2-0 win over Westside Wolves. Torva Sharwood and Bridget Smith each netted twice to lead UWA past Suburban Lions 4-2. A single goal proved the difference as Reds edged out North Coast Raiders. Victoria Park claimed a tight 2-1 victory over Curtin University, while Hale kept a clean sheet in their 3-0 win against Melville.

In the Men's competition, Fremantle Cockburn and Westside Wolves remained locked in a goalless stalemate, while UWA earned a 2-0 victory over Rockingham Redbacks. Reds fended off WASPS in a 3-2 thriller, and Melville edged Hale 2-1. Curtin University and Victoria Park played out a 3-3 draw, as did YMCC and Whitford in another six-goal showdown.

The Stiles Electrical Premier League is proudly supported by Stiles Electrical Services. The Goldfields Festival of Hockey is proudly supported by Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, and ERM – High Voltage Asset Specialists – Regional Round Partner.