Northern Redbacks gave UWA a master class in finishing in round one of the Smarter than Smoking Womens Premier League season winning 5-1 in a scoreline which flattered the hosts and failed to reflect what was a tight high quality game of football.

Both teams set out to play the posession football Redbacks are reknowned for and UWA proved they are capable of in the Night Series, however early nerves saw a scrappy start to the game and many mistakes with UWA’s A. Roberts the first to take advantage with a quick break early in the half to make the score 1-0.

Redbacks didn't have to wait long for the equaliser and within 10 minutes of the start had restored parity after poor marking by UWA saw the Redbacks left winger Rebecca Dudek ghost in at the far post and score.

The next 20 minutes would see an arm wrestle in the middle of the field with both sides creating a number of half chances.

Redbacks started to win the battle in midfield and finished the half strongly scoring two goals after the UWA backline failed to deal with the Redbacks threat and ended the half 3-1 up.

The second half though was a completely different story. UWA, intent on proving their class, stepped up a gear and dominated posession holding Redbacks in their own half for long periods of time.

UWA were let down by their poor finishing as chance after chance went begging and it looked like there was little that Redbacks could do to stem the tide HOWEVER the more UWA pressed the more the gaps opened up at the back. 30 minutes into the half a ball played over the top and a mix up in the UWA backline saw Redbacks J.Nellany put another one away to make it 4-1, then only minutes later a poor goal kick rebounded to the Redbacks and they scored the final goal to make it 5-1.

Redbacks will be pleased with the result in a game where they gave UWA a lesson in finishing their chances and played a good posession game.  Whilst UWA have poor finishing and lack of concentration to work on, they showed they are building on their Night Series progress and with a number of players missing in this game soon to come back into the side, UWA will be a force to contend with this season.

Other results:
The heat affected all games and some referees with wholehearted thanks from players, alleviated the stress with water breaks. Mandurah showed they have some terrefic potential in their youth with the likes of Searna Michael and Ellis Glanfield.  Both players exposed some silky skills helping Mandurah to a 2-1 defeat of Nedlands, which was a pretty even game except for Ellis Glanfield and Mel Spillmans goals.

Balcatta defeated East Fremantle 2-0 in a tough game for the league champions where the Fremantle sides continued pressure was undone by Jaime Carley’s 2 goals. Beckenham’s Claire Wragg proved a pillar of strength in their 3-1 win over Cockburn. All games bar Redbacks 5-1 defeat of UWA were 2 goal differences and indicate the season will be better balanced this year than in many years. Subiaco surprised Queens Park, last years Runners Up by drawing 1 all in a hard fought game.

Complete results for the round:
Mandurah 2 Nedlands 1
Beckenham 3 Cockburn 1
Queens Park 1 Subiaco 1
Balcatta 2 East Fremantle 0
Northern Reds 5 UWA 1

Report supplied by Penny Tannerhoath