Merewether coach Cassie Koppen believes the result of this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash with Warners Bay will go a long way to determining the Herald Women’s Premier League minor premiership.

The two sides are on equal footing on 27 points at the top of the competition ladder but defending champions Warners Bay have played one more game than United.

United are undefeated with the best defensive record in the league – they have conceded just eight goals in nine outings.

Warners Bay, the defending champions, boast the best attacking record in the competition and have scored 28 goals in the past four games alone.

Their only loss this season was to United when they went down 2-1 in controversial circumstances in round five.

All three goals came from penalties and United goalkeeper Alison Logue was sent off.

“Obviously we need to win,” Koppen said.

“We know the minor premiership is going to come down to one or two games this season, and this is one of them, and it’s going to be the same for Warners Bay.

“So this match is going to be do or die.”

Merewether are without key midfielder Jane McDonald and captain Lori Depczynski through unavailability. Depczynski has been in Spain playing for Australia in the women’s World Futsal Cup.

Warners Bay will be at full strength and player-coach Cassidy Davis said “everyone is very keen to play”.

“Obviously we are both on top of the ladder and are both fairly good teams; top-of-the-table clashes are always tough and it’s going to be an intense game,” Davis said.

“I think it’s going to be about who is mentally stronger because last time they were. They are always a team who fights until the end.”

In all there will be five W-League players on show in Davis, Jenna Kingsley and Brooke Miller for Warners Bay and Rhali Dobson and Grace Macintyre for Merewether and should be a fast-paced, entertaining match at John Street Oval on Sunday for spectators.

On Saturday, Thornton host South Wallsend at Thornton Park.

In the other game on Sunday, Mid North Coast play Wallsend in Taree.

BDAFL: Bulldogs playing for Jayde

Warners Bay will be up for a fight when they take on Killarney Vale in what is expected to be the match of the round of Women’s Black Diamond AFL.

The Bulldogs are hosting the Hands in for Jayde charity day at Feighan Oval on Saturday for club member Jayde Britton, who battling cancer.

Warners Bay and Killarney are stuck in a three-way tie with Gosford for third place on the ladder and the two sides have both recorded five wins and one loss heading into this match.

Competition leaders Newcastle City travel to play eighth-placed Cardiff at Hillsborough Oval, Singleton host Wyong Lakes, Lake Macquarie take on Newcastle Novas at Tulkaba Park, Gosford are at home to Muswellbrook and defending champions Nelson Bay play Maitland.

Netball: Lions keep building

Souths Lions coach Trude Yen said they were taking each round as it came but conceded a strong result in the Greater Open Championship this weekend would set them up nicely for a rematch with unbeaten leaders West Leagues Balance in round eight.

The three-time defending champions play Maryville Tavern as the first round of the competition is completed at National Park netball courts on Saturday.

The Lions were well beaten by newcomers West in round one but have not lost a game since.

“We’re coming to the end of that first round and we’re pretty keen to meet up with Wests again soon because we’ve ironed out a few of those things and we’re ready to kick on into the second round really in a lot of ways,” Yen said.

“But we’re not counting our chickens before they hatch; we’ll get through Maryville first and make sure our round has been almost perfect.”

Maryville have won three and lost three of their outings this season but Yen was expecting a touch battle.

“They have such a competitive edge to them; these are experienced girls who love to play and love to win, so we never ever take Maryville for granted,” she said.

“It wouldn’t matter if they lost their last four in a row, we would still take them with full respect because these girls know how to win and they know how to play well.”

Yen said Katrina Tresidder’s return to the court last week fort he first time since sustaining a season-ending knee injury last year was a boost for the squad.

Tressider played one quarter and shot at around 80 per cent.

Her sister Tiffany Gilmour comes back into the mix this weekend after missing last weekend through unavailability.

Unbeaten West take on Junction Stella, Nova Thunder play BNC Whanau and Forsythes Business Advisors meet Souths Pride.

Basketball: Hunters out for revenge

NewcastleHunters hope to avenge the one that got away when they play unbeaten Waratah Basketball League women’s championship leaders Hornsby Spiders at The Brickpit on Saturday.

The Spiders (8-0), led by league-leading scorer Alicia Poto, have squeezed out of some tight spots of late. Three of their past five wins have been by four points or less, including a 67-63 victory over Newcastle (3-5) at Broadmeadow on April 23.

The Hunters led by as many as 18 points late in the second quarter of that game, and by five midway through the fourth period, but lost their way in the final minutes.

That was Newcastle’s second game in less than 24 hours, and coach Mark Gledson believed they were physically and emotionally drained after rallying from a 21-point third-quarter deficit the night before to beat Bankstown 83-75 in Suzy Batkovic’s home-coming match.

Though they have won just three of their first eight games to sit in sixth spot, the defending champions are determined to build momentum in the second half of the season and give themselves a legitimate shot at reaching the play-offs and defending their title.

“This game will be a great test for us going up against the No.1 team. Our goal for the remainder of the season is to finish in the top four,” Gledson said.

“Last time we played them it was the second game of a double-header after an emotional win the night before, and a lot of energy was expended to win that.”

The game against the Spiders is scheduled for a 3pm tip-off.

Leaguetag: South-West showdown

South Newcastle play host to West in what should be the match of the round of Newcastle Rugby League ladies leaguetag this weekend.

South are placed second after an unbeaten start to the season while West are third after opening their season with three wins and two losses.

South were convincing 22-0 winners over Kurri Kurri last weekend and West went down 12-6 in a tight encounter with undefeated leaders Central.

The match will be played at Townson Oval on Sunday while Lakes do battle with Kurri Kurri at Cahill Oval.

On Saturday, Maitland host Cessnock at Coronation Oval.

Macquarie’s game against Central will be played on June 10.

HWRU: Two Blues take on champions

Wanderers host University at No.2 Sportsground in Hunter women’s rugby union on Saturday and Maitland are at home to Merewether Carlton.

Hockey: Oxfords face tough test on Coast

Oxfords travel to battle Gosford in what is expected to be the match of the round in Newcastle Central Coast Women’s Premier Hockey.

Regals are also off to the Central Coast to take on Avoca Beach on Saturday.

In games at Newcastle International Hockey Centre, Souths take on Central and Tigers play Erina.