Premier League Round 1

North-West Graduates pick up where they left off in 2023

Written by Adam Clifford.

North-West Graduates have picked up where they left off with a strong 5-2 defeat of 2023 Premier League runners-up University in the opening round of men’s hockey action.

University took an initial lead when Ben Read earned a penalty stroke and duly converted after 4 minutes, before Graduates equalised from George Wilkinson’s classy reverse stick finish.

Read returned to reinstate the Stuies advantage after two minutes with a penalty corner flick, before Sam Meikle made a clutch defensive set piece save off the line before half-time.

But the second half belonged to Graduates who grew in stature the longer the game went on, with Harvey Bessell’s tomahawk goal levelling things up at 2 goals apiece.

Barely a minute later, best afield Fergus De Paoli completed a well worked team move to push the Bulldogs 3-2 up after 40 minutes.

The final quarter belonged to 17-year-old sensation Oliver Stebbings who scored two goals and showed his game has risen to a new level in 2024.

“I was really happy with the style we played, because we’ve focused on playing a good team game with good ball movement, which I think showed,” Graduates coach Alistair White said.

A late penalty corner goal from Oliver Pritchard clinched the points for DiamondBacks with a 3-2 defeat of Derwent.

Goals from Liam Grundy and Harry Winch for Derwent were cancelled out by Oscar Pritchard and Patrick McDevitt’s quick-fire goals for DiamondBacks, before the eldest Pritchard sealed three points.

In the women’s competition, 2023 leading goal scorer Sarah McCambridge showed no signs of slowing down as she opened the season with a hat-trick in OHA’s 4-1 win against Canterbury.

The Lions had equalised through Jemma Kenworthy before McCambridge pulled her boots, while Ella Lucas added a late sweetener.

“The game started out with both teams going a million miles an hour, but once we settled into it our midfield started to take control,” OHA coach Susan Brooks said.

“There are a few things we will tidy up at training this week, but overall, it was a great start.”

DiamondBacks crushed Derwent with a thumping 13-0 win on Thursday night in an ominous sign for the Maroons scoring firepower, but also the Strikers hopes this season.

Four goals to Emily Donovan, hat-tricks to Philly Bridley and Olivia Farrell and a best afield display from Lauren Canning were the individual highlights.

The results from University and North-West Graduates women, and OHA versus Canterbury men were not completed in time for the print deadline.

Thanks to The Mercury and Adam Clifford for this writeup.