Coastal Spirit SAS are closing in on their fifth New World Women's Premiership on the bounce when Round 12 of 15 will be played on Saturday. The 'champions in waiting', who are currently sitting six points clear, take on Universities at Linfield Park at 12:30 pm and at midday, second-placed Cashmere Technical face Waimak at English Park. On Friday at 7.30 pm at Ferrymead Park, Ferrymead Bays host Nomads.

Coastal SAS will be out to make it three from three against Universities this season. Coastal SAS have yet to concede a goal against the students this season, with the match also a Hawkey Shield challenge. Universities have moved clear of Waimak in recent rounds to secure third place after recording three wins in recent weeks and were victorious against Coastal in a shield challenge back in 2014 when winning 3 - 1. 

Form: Coastal SAS W W W W W Universities L W W L W                         

Previous Results this Season: Coastal SAS 4 Universities 0 Universities 0 Coastal SAS 7   

Head-to-Head: Played 29 – Coastal SAS 24 wins, Draws 3, Universities 2 wins.

Bays will also be out to make it a clean sweep over Nomads this season. The two previous clashes between Bays and Nomads have been tight affairs, with just one goal separating the two sides at the final whistle.  

Form: Bays W L L L L Nomads L L L L L                                                     

Previous Result this Season: Bays 1 Nomads 0 Nomads 1 Bays 2

Head-to-Head: Played 2 - Bays 2 wins

Technical need to defeat Waimak to keep alive any hopes of catching table-topping Coastal SAS. When the two sides first met this season, Technical prevailed 3 - 1, with the second encounter blowing out to a 7 - 1 in favour of Tech. Waimak need points to challenge Universities for third spot overall. 

Form: Technical W W L W W Waimak L L W W L                                                 

Previous Result this Season: Technical 3 Waimak 1 Waimak 1 Technical 7            

Head-to-Head: Played 13 - Technical 11 wins, Draws 1, Waimak 1 win.

Southern Qualifying League Underway

The New World Southern Qualifying League kicks off on Saturday, bringing together the bottom three sides from the New World Premiership, Nomads, Ferrymead Bays and Halswell and the top three sides from the New World Championship, Western, Waimak and FC Twenty11. The teams play over five rounds, aiming to finish in the top two to chase down a spot in the ten Southern League for 2022.

There are some exciting match-ups on the opening rounds which see all the Premierships sides draw against sides from the Championship, with a 'double-header' scheduled for English Park. Winner's of the Championship, Western host Halswell at English Park at 2 pm with Ferrymead Bays facing Waimak. Nomads have the home advantage at Tulett Park when they take on neighbours FC Twenty11. FC will then have to back up against Cashmere Technical on Tuesday evening in the Blackwells English Cup final quarter-final tie.

The remaining five sides from the Championship, Burwood, Mid Canterbury, Parklands, St Albans Shirley and Universities, will now contest the Championship Trophy, again played over one round. Burwood will play SAS at Clare Park at 2:45 pm, and at the same time, Mid Canterbury host Parklands at the Ashburton Domain, with Universities having the 'bye' first up.

Written by Gavin Searle. 
Article added: Friday 16 July 2021