Parkes picked up both of their goals in the third quarter after the sides had played out an evenly matched opening half, although the Saints had missed several early chances to take the advantage.

Pat's coach Ben Weal had highlighted the United squad's pace as something to watch in the build-up to the game, and that did indeed end of playing a crucial factor in the hosts' win.

"It was one of those games where we looked frustrated throughout most of it. We were put under pressure in the midfield and their speed and niggle that they offer with that pace upset us a little bit," he said.

"The game was pretty even but they took two chances that came their way and we couldn't put away any that we had. We had a few of them early on as well, and when you can put one of those away then that can change your whole game.

"We never found a way to get on top of them."

A penalty stroke to Parkes ended up breaking the deadlock after the Saints defender had illegally stopped a certain goal.

The hosts then used that momentum to find another goal shortly before the three quarter break.

Parkes' goals were scored by India Draper and Eloisa Purtell.

"We probably tried to play a little too direct at times rather than with more control," Weal said.

"When you do that you tend to try and thread miracle balls through people rather than being patient, but a lot of that came late in the game where we panicked and felt like we had to score every time we had the ball.

"It's one of those days were things never went well for us, and that's just sport."

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