IT seems like only a few weeks ago that Souths started off their women’s Premier League Hockey season with a 2-1 loss against St Pat’s to usher in coach Mel Bestwick’s time in charge of the side.

Though it is actually more than a month and a half, a quirk of the draw still sees the two blues meeting their local rivals once more before the halfway point of the regular season, as they clash once more today at Bob Roach Field.

Despite the result the first time they faced off, Bestwick’s side has improved markedly since that contest. They sit fourth on the ladder having won three of their last four matches.

St Pat’s have not won since that opening round and are currently in seventh.

“It is a bit odd and it was a surprise to see that we were playing them again so soon, but having done draws myself, I know how hard it is to balance them out so it is no big deal,” Bestwick said.

“Since that game Pat’s have probably battled a little bit, I don’t necessarily think of us as being favourites to win this match, but we go in pretty confident that we’re a better side than what we were back then, and that we can do the job this time.

“I don’t believe in making excuses, we lost that game fair and square as well as the match after it to Lithgow Panthers, but we’ve gotten better, we’ve found some form and particularly in the last round win [6-3] over Dubbo we played very well.

“We want to adopt similar tactics to that game. We played a system that I believe worked very well, we had a hell of a lot more players on and around the ball and I hope it works again.”

Though winless since round one, the Saints haven’t exactly struggled to be competitive.  With two draws from their four games in that period and a narrow loss to Parkes, they cannot be underestimated.

“I watched the match against Parkes and they only lost in the last part of the match by a single goal, they are still a very good side and their best hockey is good enough to match anyone,” Bestwick said.

“It is a local derby. Everyone brings their game when derbies roll around.

“Over the years maybe we’ve tended to struggle a bit against the other Bathurst sides, and realistically our skills and talent are good, but they can only take us so far.

“These are tough games, and our girls really need to make sure they bring their mental game as much as they need to bring their skills and fitness.”

Souths will be almost at full strength, with Michelle Somers the only notable omission. 

Souths and Pat’s do battle from 3.20pm this afternoon at Bob Roach Field.