UWA looking to continue red hot start

Two games into the women’s season – it’s been all green lights for University of WA.

The side sits atop the ladder after winning both matches…  ahead of reigning Premiers Victoria Park by just one win.

An opening-round 4-1 win over North Coast Raiders was the perfect start to this season, after finishing third last year.

Game two was a potential insight into how the side will fare this year, taking on a dominant Hale side, but emerging victorious with a 3-2 score line.

Veteran Shelly Liddelow has made herself known on the pitch, with two goals to her name already, alongside teammate Torva Sherwood.

Regardless of the side’s performance in the first two matches, there is still a remaining 16 games – meaning anything could happen with the ladder.

It’ll become a movable feast in just a number of weeks, Vic Park, Westside Wolves, Melville and Reds all still with a game in hand, playing just one this season.

Suburban Lions remains the only side yet to play a match after COVID swept through their top side.

Due to play Melville in round one, and Reds last weekend – the side will have a new challenge in coming weeks as they look to make up lost games as well as playing those that are already fixtured.

Five players in the competition currently sit at two goals apiece, the remaining three of those Raiders’ Jordyn Holzberger, Hale’s Liné Malan and Melville’s Beatriz Monger-Molowny.

This weekend – freshly-promoted Reds will have a tough opponent with Vic Park.

In round one, Reds went down to WASPs 3-0, a side that Vic Park defeat 2-1 last week.

The same day, Melville are set to take on last year’s runners-up Wolves.

Wolves are coming off the back of a 2-2 draw… Melville looking for redemption after last week’s 3-2 loss to Raiders.

North Coast are set to take on Lions, who are still yet to put a result on the board.

It could either mean the side will benefit from having fresh legs, or lacking match fitness after being sidelined the past few weeks.

In round one, Raiders had a 4-1 loss to UWA, before bouncing back the following week with a victory.

If they can continue the momentum this week, a win is definitely on the cards.

Sunday’s action includes a couple big matchups.

WASPs will host Hale, both sides on equal points and goal difference.

The match at Perth Hockey Stadium at Curtin University has potential to be the game of the weekend.

Edwina Bone is a game-changing addition to the Hale side, alongside the likes of Liné Malan, Madonna Blyth, skipper Fiona Cock and a strong cohort of juniors.

If WASPs side remains the same as last week, it’ll be a red-hot match, with the knowledge of captain Kyra White to lead their experienced side.

In the final match of the weekend – UWA will look to maintain its ladder-leading run with another win over Curtin University.

Going 3-0 in the start of the season can be a huge confidence booster for UWA, with Curtin chasing their first win this year.

Curtin’s current form includes a draw with Wolves last week and a loss to Hale in round one.

Both sides have the potential to win the match, however UWA’s hot form makes them the favourites for the weekend, but an underdog tale should never be underestimated.

Perhaps the biggest men’s match for the weekend is Melville and Wolves, a first versus fourth clash to open the weekend’s action in the Premier League.

Other matches include Old Guildford Mundaring versus Whitford, YMCC against Fremantle Cockburn, Reds clashing with Victoria Park, WASPs meeting Hale and UWA gearing up to take on Curtin University.

Full list of matches this weekend:

Women’s Premier League

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Reds vs Victoria Park

4:00pm

Aquinas College

Melville vs Westside Wolves

4:00pm

pulse Stadium

North Coast Raiders vs Lions

4:00pm

Warwick Hockey Centre

Sunday, May 1, 2022

WASPS vs Hale

2:00pm

Perth Hockey Stadium

UWA vs Curtin

4pm

University of WA Superturf

Men’s Premier League

Saturday, April 30, 2022

Melville vs Westside Wolves

2:30pm

pulse Stadium

Old Guildford Mundaring Hockey Club vs Whitford

3:30pm

Guildford Grammar School

YMCC vs Fremantle Cockburn

3:30pm

Lemnos Field

Reds vs Victoria Park

5:30pm

Aquinas College

Sunday, May 1, 2022

WASPs vs Hale

3:30pm

Perth Hockey Stadium

UWA vs Curtin University

5:30pm

University of WA Superturf

For Premier League live scores and stats, click here.