“In the Premier League Hockey’s modern era Orange has never seen a derby of this magnitude”.
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That’s an excerpt from the May 27 edition of the Central Western Daily, printed leading into the first all-Orange derby of 2017.
At the time it was undeniably true.
Now, well, the significance of that clash has been blown out of the water by the enormity of Saturday’s rematch.
Confederates and Ex-Services are deadlocked in fourth spot, on the same competition points and boasting the exact same goal difference too, 10 points in front of sixth-placed Parkes United.
Even though there’s two rounds left after Saturday, Parkes only plays one of those and as a result, can’t catch the Orange sides.
Confederates only have one game left after the derby too – they moved their clash with United forward – and that’s against reigning champions Lithgow Panthers.
Ex-Services, on the other hand, face competition leaders Bathurst City and third-placed Bathurst St Pat’s in their last two games.
So, unless there’s a couple of monumental upsets in those last two rounds, Saturday’s derby will play a gigantic role in deciding which of the two Orange sides claims fourth spot.
“We said top five was our goal, even with a four-team finals series, that hasn’t changed and it looks like we’ll do that regardless of the next few weeks which is just great for us as a club, I think we’ve exceeded all expectations already,” Confederates coach Fiona Reith said.
“Having that extra game, if we do win it certainly sets up a huge one for Ex-Services against Bathurst City next weekend, but with everything in mind we don’t really have anything to lose in this one.
We are so keen to win this one and prove we deserve our spot in the top four.
- Ex-Services ace Leanne Kennewell
“That gives us the chance to just throw everything we have at Ex-Services and see what happens.
“We took a lot confidence from the last derby even though we lost, but we know Ex-Services are a very classy outfit with some great players, and they’ve kept ticking along all year.
“More than anything, it really is great for the competition and for Orange hockey to be in this position.”
Ex-Services won that first derby of 2017, 1-0, despite Confederates dominating the majority of the game.
While the performance in that one gives Confederates confidence, the fact they managed to close out the game despite not enjoying the run of play does the same for the blue and golds.
“We’ve got to be confident,” Ex-Services excitement machine Leanne Kennewell fired.
“We need to control the game … we are so keen to win this one and prove we deserve our spot in the top four.”
Saturday’s derby kicks off at 12.30pm, at Orange Hockey Centre.