ST PAT'S take a 2-0 lead, Souths fight back to earn a share of the points with a 2-all draw - the first women's Premier League Hockey meeting between the Bathurst rivals in 22 months certainly entertained.
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With last year's sole scheduled matched between the pair snowed out, just as was the case for final round meeting in 2019, it had been a long time since St Pat's and Souths had done battle.
But as the game unfolded at Bob Roach Field it had all the trademarks of past derbies with some slick individual skills, strong tackling and top saves as well as missed chances and fight backs.
It also saw Millie Fulton bag a double for Pat's and Sarah Watterson do the same for Souths, Watterson's second coming with 6:04 left on the clock to force a draw.
Pat's coach Ben Weal knew it was a game in which his side created enough opportunities to win, but he was still satisfied to see them earn some points.
"It wasn't a bad first hit out, we were probably a bit unlucky that we had a couple of chances when we could of scored," he said.
"That meant we put ourselves in that situation where the comeback was possible for them. But more touch and a bit more game time, you finish those chances.
"It would've been good to get the win, get the four points, but to split it with them was good. They played good hockey, they've improved a lot which is a positive sign for them."
It was Souths, who went down 2-1 against Orange United in their season opener seven days prior, that applied the earlier pressure.
Souths had two penalty corners inside the first three minutes, but a pair of saves from Pat's goalkeeper Lilli-Rai Campbell as well as strong Jodi Sharp clearance held the two blues out.
The Saints also earned a penalty corner in the opening quarter which they were unable to convert, while an Amy Glenn attempt struck the crossbar as the score remained locked at nil-all.
The Saints again came close three minutes into the second half when Lorin Nobes drew out and beat Souths goalkeeper Stephanie Hinds, but defender Georgia Kearney came up with a clearance.
One minute later Danielle Fisher used her speed to get in behind the Saints' defence, but Campbell produced a quality one-on-one block.
As the quarter unfolded it was the Saints who better controlled possession and finally that led to the opening goal. Mish Somers fed a nice ball into the circle to Fulton and she slotted her shot into the bottom left corner.
Fulton struck again seven minutes into the third quarter from a penalty corner play, putting away a deflection on the left post after Carly Sandry's initial strike was blocked. That gave the Saints a 2-0 lead and they looked to be in control.
But Souths hung in and when drawing their third penalty corner of the match, they opened their account. Watterson's first shot was well saved, but the ball bounced back to her and she powered it in on attempt two.
That made it 2-1 with a quarter to play and with Watterson fired up, it lifted her team-mates. Fittingly she found the equaliser with a trademark power reserve.
Pat's had a late chance to snatch the win when Fulton worked her way into a one-on-one, but Hinds pulled off the save.
"There's a few things we can improve on, our use of the corner pockets and attacking along the baseline, that's where we are strong and we didn't do it much in that game. I thought we were a bit too direct," Weal said.
"We were best when we used our midfield and used our ball speed, so that's what will be what we work on, using our midfield more rather than going one out."
SOUTHS 2 (Sarah Watterson 2) drew with ST PAT'S 2 (Millie Fulton 2)
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