Murchison and Australs kept pressure on the ladder leaders after battling to an entertaining 1-1 draw on Friday night in the women’s A-grade hockey competition.

Murchison took an early lead through Paris Capron before Hayley Hatton found the equaliser later in the match. While both sides created plenty of attacking opportunities, it was the goalkeepers who stole the show.

Murchison’s Melissa Evans was outstanding in goal, while Australs veteran Dirranie Kirby produced arguably her best performance of the season, making dozens of athletic saves to deny the Murchison forwards.

Sophie Stribley was outstanding for Murchison, creating several dangerous chances and unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal.

Cardinals claimed a hard fought 1-0 victory over Saints later on Friday, with Mikala Van Niftrik scoring the only goal of the match.

Cardinals controlled much of the early play, but Saints continued to push throughout and were unlucky not to find an equaliser. Alana Miles was once again among Saints’ best, while Meg Spalding and Mya Mead continued their consistent form for the winners.

Swans produced the biggest result of the women’s A-grade round on Saturday with a commanding 6-0 victory over Yacht Club.

Emma Bowen was the star of the round, scoring four goals while also creating several other attacking opportunities. Holly Stubberfield scored the remaining two goals in a dominant team performance.

Despite the scoreline, Yacht Club showed plenty of determination and continued to battle until the final whistle.

Rovers continued their dominant start to the men’s A-grade season with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Saints on Friday night.

Kye McVee led the way with two goals, while Paul Valenti, Braydon Kietzmann, Corin Berrigan, James Van Niftrik, Tyler Allen and Peter Murray also found the back of the net in another polished display from the ladder leaders.

Australs edged Murchison 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, with Matthew Clarkson scoring the only goal in a hard-fought contest. Kyle Raina was outstanding for the winners, while Murchison goalkeeper Kai Weston again impressed despite conceding the one goal.

Casuals remained hot on the heels of Rovers with a 3-1 victory over Yacht Club.

Sam Owen, Vince Umbers and Jarrod Jupp all scored for Casuals, while Courtney McLeod battled hard for Yacht Club, scoring his side’s only goal and leading by example throughout the contest.