IT’S the battle of the Hampdens in Western Regional State League action tonight.
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Competition powerhouses Hampden White and Hampden Green will do battle at the Arc tonight and the coaches of both sides are expecting a close match.
Hampden White coach Stacey O’Sullivan said she thought it was going to be very tight.
“They (Hampden Green) lost their game against Warrnambool City and that was only by a couple of goals,” she said.
“That game was even closer than the score sheet showed, so I’m expecting a very tight, close match.”
O’Sullivan said her side’s versatility was its strongest weapon.
“Being able to put different players into so many varied positions keeps us fresh,” she said.
“Our success has been based around our policy of high rotations. It’s not fair to single any one player out because it’s been a whole team effort.”
Hampden White is yet to lose a game and O’Sullivan said it wasn’t a goal to go through undefeated.
“I don’t think it matters either way. It looks like we will be playing finals, so it all comes down to how you perform there,” O’Sullivan said.
Hampden Green coach Pam Davis said she was looking forward to the match.
“I think it’s going to be a great game. It’s going to be very close,” she said.
“We’ve got a great defensive end, so I hope those girls can stand up and get on top of White’s shooters who have been very strong and accurate.
“If our defence is on song we will be in with a chance, but I think it will come down to the goalies for both teams.”
Davis said she had been extremely happy with the performance of her young side, which has only dropped one game for the competition.
“I’ve got a young side. Most of the girls are under 20,” Davis said.
“But we have really strong leadership on the court from Emily Batt and Kate Foster.
“They have been terrific and the girls have been learning so much from them.”
In other open grade matches tonight, Warrnambool City will play Warrnambool and District and Colac and District takes on Hamilton Night.
In the under 17 grade, Warrnambool City plays Colac and District, Camperdown Night tackles Hampden Green and Warrnambool and District takes on Hampden White.
Under 17 matches start at 7.15pm and open matches get under way from 8.30pm.