Diamonds Sparkle in Strong Start to Finals Week

The Western Australian Diamonds recorded a 5-2 win over Tasmania on Monday to get its AHL final week off to a strong start.

With all games being hosted in Melbourne, the Diamonds perhaps felt out of sorts early, and the Tasmanian Van Demons surged to an early advantage with goals to Kayla Bashore and Emily White setting up a 2-0 lead heading into half-time.

Such is the strength of the current Diamonds squad however, it was able to rally through Harriet Collins on 31 minutes to ensure it would reach the interval with momentum on side.

Collins again proved the hero for WA in the early stages of the second half as she drew the sides level with a well taken field goal. And by the time WAIS athlete Samantha Gale put the Diamonds in front at 3-2 only one result looked likely.

Another WAIS scholarship holder in Amanda Calton converted from a penalty corner to give WA a two goal cushion before a third WAIS athlete, Chantelle Ciallella added gloss with a fifth goal for the evening to give WA a 5-2 win that had earlier looked improbable.

The Diamonds face two more round matches this week against Victoria and NSW, the only other undefeated side in the competition. Semi-finals are on Friday, with the grand final to be played on the weekend.

The Diamonds currently sit top of the AHL standings with nine wins from as many matches (30 points) and an impressive 35 goals for, having conceded only eight.