Squibb, Slattery push Diamonds to top of the standings

The efforts of Great Southern duo Penny Squibb and Kathryn Slattery have put the WA Diamonds within reach of a semi-final berth in the women’s 2016 Australian Hockey League held at Perth Hockey Stadium.

In the first game of their new campaign, Tambellup’s Squibb helped her side get off to the perfect start in their comfortable 4-1 win over the Canberra Strikers.

The Diamonds scored a goal in each quarter with Squibb putting their second goal in the back of the net when she converted a 20th minute penalty corner.

With her side leading 3-1 at the final change, Squibb ensured the Diamonds took the three points when she converted a second penalty corner opportunity.

In their second fixture on Friday against the Queensland Scorchers, South Stirling’s Slattery started brightly with a number of early chances, including a goal which was disallowed.

Slattery broke the deadlock in the second quarter, however, when she got on the end of a terrific run by Georgia Wilson to score a field goal in the 30th minute.

The Hockeyroos striker then set up the Diamonds’ next goal, delivering a perfect pass to Melissa Luff who made no mistake as the home side finished 2-0 winners.

On Saturday evening, the Diamonds suffered their first loss of the tournament, going down 1-0 to the New Zealand Futures.

New Zealand opened the scoring in the 12th minute and the Diamonds had plenty of possession and chances on goal but just couldn’t convert.

Both Slattery and Squibb, in their penalty corner batteries, were lively throughout while Albany product Caitlin Pascov was also a solid contributor after starting on the field for the Diamonds.

The WA side sits on top of the standings after three games, courtesy of their superior goal difference as they close in on a semifinal berth in the tournament.

WA faces the Tassie Van Demons at 3.30pm today and will play the NSW Arrows in their final pool match tomorrow to determine who they meet in the semifinals.