Men's Southern Premiership preview

University face Mosgiel in the early fixture of the Men’s Premiership this weekend. University got their season off to a flying start with a 6-1 win over Northern with Mosgiel coming away with a point from their match away at Wanaka. Head coach Darren Hart is glad to be playing another fixture at home, “We know what we can do on that surface.” His side will be bolstered by the return of Oban Hawkins ahead of the Mosgiel game and Hart still has the potential of new players joining the fold, “I’ve still got some first years to have a look at, there may be players joining the squad that are yet to play football in Dunedin.” 

Mosgiel coach Cam McPhail was happy with his side’s performance against Wanaka considering he had eight players making their debuts. He regards this Saturday’s fixture with University as one of the toughest challenges his side will face this season, “We’ll be up against it for sure.” McPhail reflected that Varsity have not lost a game on the Turf in the previous two seasons of the Southern Premiership and there is the added pressure of having the Blair Davidson shield at stake.  

Queenstown are at home against Roslyn Wakari and both sides will be looking to improve on their opening weekend results. Queenstown’s Jamie Whitmarsh reflected on the challenge of his side’s opening fixture against the South City Royals, “There’s lots we’d want to improve on, we made too many mistakes but had lots of chances, it was a fair result.” Whitmarsh was impressed with Roslyn’s result against Green Island and acknowledges they will be a challenge, “They’re going to come and make life difficult, but Terry will be expecting us to be difficult too!” He added that he expects it to be a tight encounter, “no one will dominate.” 

Roslyn Wakari coach Terry Boylan was delighted with his side’s point against last year’s title winners, Green Island. Looking ahead to Saturday’s match, Boylan explained that how his team handle the travel to Queenstown is crucial, “it’s how we get off the bus that matters.” Boylan suggested he may have more players available for the match against Queenstown, including a new addition. He knows that Whitmarsh’s outfit will be a challenging side to face, “Jamie runs a good ship, it’s hard for them with the transient nature of the town, but he’s got a good squad.”  

Northern have their first fixture at Forrester Park, where they’ll take on last season’s champions, Green Island. Coach Arran Wilkinson knows that the Island will prove to be a significant challenge and was impressed by them getting a point despite going down to ten men. He expects it to be a physical affair, “they’re not a side you can outfight, and our small wee pitch invites a battle.”  

Green Island’s coach Shane Carvell is hoping to take away the full share of the spoils this weekend following his team’s 2-2 draw with Roslyn in the opening weekend. He praised his opposite coach Arran Wilkinson, “Arran has brought a sharpness, a bit of steel, his boys will work hard for him.” Carvell admits that Forrester Park is a tricky place to visit and doesn’t think Saturday will be an easy game. He respects that Northern have been bolstered by fresh blood, particularly with the signing of goalkeeper Liam Little, “he’s always a hard person to beat.” He hopes that his team will be more clinical in the match against Northern, “the reality is we have to convert our chances.” 

The newly formed South City Royals have their first competitive home game on Saturday. They’re up against Wanaka and the two teams have already gone head-to-head in two pre-season friendlies with the games ending in victory for the Royals and a draw. Royals’ coach Richard Murray is relishing his side’s first chance to show their stuff on home turf.  Their pre-season campaign was tail-ended by two away fixtures, leaving Murray especially excited for the match at Tahuna Park.  

Murray believes Wanaka will be a tough side to beat, “they’re a good mix of internationals and young players.” Having played each other twice in pre-season, Murray reflected that Bell’s side will know what to expect from the Royals and expects it to be a good clash of the two teams. Wanaka’s Ian Bell suggests that not too much should be read into the pre-season results as teams don’t always have their number one team available. Bell believes it will be a very competitive game and that the trip to Tahuna Park could be one of their biggest tests of the season, “The combination of two teams gives them the cream of the crop!”

Women's Southern Premiership preview

Queenstown Rovers get their campaign underway this weekend with a home fixture against Mosgiel. Coach Mark Ford is excited for the season to get going and is hoping to improve on last season’s fourth place finish, “make no bones about it, we’re always aiming for the top spot!” Ford has three young players (Saffron Millar, Madi McLean and Peyton Robertson) that he is particularly excited about getting more game time this season. He acknowledges that the loss of several players, including Nieve Collin to Dunedin Tech, will hit his team hard, but such is the transient nature of Queenstown.  

Mosigel will be hoping for a better result this weekend following their 11-0 loss to Roslyn Wakari over the opening weekend. It was coach Malcolm Roberts’ first competitive game in charge and he was proud of how his team handled themselves despite the defeat. “We have lots to build on, the girls are working well in training and doing everything I ask.” Roberts is hopeful that his team will feature Kayla Marshall and Grace Bishop this weekend, after both players were substituted due to minor injuries in the defeat at Ellis Park. 

Otago University Seconds begin their season at home to Green Island, who are also yet to be in action.  Seconds will be hoping to improve on last season’s bottom of the table finish whilst Green Island will be hoping to ascend from fifth place. Both teams retain many of their players from the previous season with Green Island making a significant signing in the form of goalkeeper Tessa Nicol.  

Seconds’ coach Arnon Tapp is looking forward to getting his side’s campaign underway at the Turf on Saturday having finalised his squad in the last few days. He is particularly by two of the additions to his squad, two freshers in the form of midfielder Izzy Fisher and centreback Kate. Tapp managed to catch Green Island in action against Premiers in a pre-season so has a better understanding of their team, “They’re going to be strong, they’ve got some good players.”  

Green Island’s man at the helm, Matthew Holdridge, is looking forward to his first competitive game in charge. He believes that his pre-season preparation was crucial for him in his first Premiership season and means that his team “cannot wait to get out on the pitch.” He reflects that there are a few injuries in his squad and appreciates that Seconds will be a challenging team to defeat, “We'll need to work hard and play our game to get a result, but who knows who's new at Uni this year.” 

In what is shaping up to be the pick of the fixtures, Roslyn Wakari take on Premiers at Ellis Park. Roslyn will be hoping to make it two from two at home following their triumphant 11-0 victory over Mosgiel. Premiers coach Stuart Moffatt is hoping to move on from his side’s opening game defeat, “It’s early days and we will be looking to put last week behind us, which should be easier with the return of all three of our centre backs for selection.” Moffatt acknowledges that Roslyn will be difficult to beat, “They’re a tough prospect and have recruited with some young players this year, with Saffie Hayes one to keep an eye on.” 

Roslyn boss Hamish Philip is optimistic ahead of his side’s clash with last season’s runners-up, “I’m looking forward to the test, they’re always formidable!”. Philip was full of praise for Moffatt’s team, “everyone knows Amy Hislop, but Varsity have got lots of players with an incredible work rate, like Lena de Ronde and Beth Elliott in the middle.” Philip was delighted with his team’s display against Mosgiel, “I’m confident in my team, if we can replicate our performance against Mosgiel, we’re in with a good chance.” 

Last season’s champions Dunedin Tech have the Bye. 

Article added: Wednesday 24 March 2021