Central fight back to secure crucial victory in Newcastle women's hockey

Down 2-1 at quarter-time, Central levelled before half-time then broke clear in the competition's only match on the weekend. Fiona Lavell-Young scored a double for Central, who also had goals from Ash Tsakissiris, Jane Purcell and Indi Loretan. Kaitlin Duck and Julia Gannon got Souths goals.

Cocking said Central took time to adjust to Souths' high line in attack, which allowed them to hurt her side on the counter.

She was pleased with the defensive performance after the first quarter and their position on the ladder with four games remaining. Central sit second on 21 points, three behind Regals and four clear of Oxford. Souths are next on 16 and Gosford have 15. However, the ladder will change if Gosford return from the COVID lockdown before the finals and their missed matches are declared draws.

Regardless, Cocking believed her side will stay in the top four.

"We're in a good spot and I'm pretty confident that win should secure us a top-four spot," Cocking said.

"if Gosford come back in, we might finish third or fourth, but we might be able to hold onto to second if they don't."

On Sunday in the men's Hunter Coast Premier Hockey League, Matt Magann scored a 60^th-minute equaliser as Maitland fought back to level three times in a 3-3 draw with Souths. University defeated Wests 3-1 in the other match, also played at Broadmeadow.