The Christmas and New Year break is over, and State League and Junior State League return to the local clubs. It will be all to play for with the finals beginning next month.
The finals system this season sees the top four teams advance to the knockout semifinals with top spot playing fourth spot at home and second position playing third spot. The two winners will face off in the final a week later with the higher ranked team hosting the final.
In the Women’s State League Cottesloe remains the only side undefeated with five wins and sit firmly on top. 15 points behind them sit last season’s premiers Hensman Park who are hanging onto second spot. The Hensman Park side does have a favourable draw with their last three fixtures all against sides below them on the ladder.
Dalkeith have had an indifferent season, sitting in fourth place with only the one win this season, however the side will be buoyed by the fact their one win was an impressive win over last year’s premiers Hensman Park. They do however have a tough run home, playing Hensman Park again plus ladder leaders Cottesloe then finishing with a massive last round clash UWA which could end up being a battle for fourth spot and the last place in finals.
Royal Kings Park (third place) will still fancy a top two finish and a home semifinal. They face the top two sides but wins against those sides will cement their spot in the top two and give them the confidence to know they can match it with the best.
It’s a race for top spot in the men’s State League with Cottesloe on top spot by 11 points over Claremont and this week could not be a better time to see who is the best team in the competition with the two sides up against each other. Mt Lawley sits in third spot but will be under pressure, having lost their last two matches before Christmas after a strong start to the season.
Alexander Park will also be a team to look out for and have the potential to climb the ladder. They are another side that has had some impressive wins but also some shock losses. Again, another big clash this week sees fifth place Royal Kings Park play Alexander Park. A win for either side will cement a spot in the top four. Sitting in sixth position is UWA and while they have only won the one match, they have been unfortunate with two washouts and only sit four points from fifth and eight points from fourth.
It’s a similar story in the Junior Girl’s State League with Cottesloe sitting well on top and remain the only undefeated side. Mt Lawley holds onto second position then it’s a tight race for the next two finals spots with Mosman Park, UWA and Hensman Park all within striking distance of each other.
The key match this week will be Mt Lawley (second) and Mosman Park (third). A win for Mt Lawley keeps them in the race for top spot and solidifies second spot and a home final while a win for Mosman Park gives them a chance to take second place later on in the season.
In the Junior Boy’s State League, Reabold are the team to beat, sitting 23 points in the clear up the top. It may be a race for second place with UWA occupying that position with 5-1 win-loss record.
UWA, Cottesloe and Hensman Park round out the next three finals spots while Applecross Casey will have some work to do to climb into the final four. The Applecross side has won its last two matches before Christmas and comes up against North Beach (sixth place) who are hot on their heels.
The Women’s Division One started a week earlier and has seen Cottesloe and Royal Kings Park jump ahead as the top two teams. The competition is tight with only four rounds to go as only one point separates fourth (Mt Lawley) and fifth (UWA) spot.
The Men’s Division One is arguably even closer with three sides neck and neck in the top three. Cottesloe (first), Mt Lawley (second), and North Beach (third) have all won seven matches each and only six points separates the top three sides.
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