Confederates dominated possession and field position for the best part of the physical, frantic, exciting derby – which more than lived up to its billing – and considering the sheer amount of scoring opportunities they created the resurgent side could have, should have, won.

It didn’t though.

Ex-Services maintained their unbeaten status against Confederates, which stretches all the way back to the red and blues’ re-entry into the competition in 2012, winning 1-0.

But although Confederates did fluff a couple of chances in front of goal it was Ex-Services’ remarkable defensive effort that proved the catalyst for the win, more than anything else.

That, and Jade Williams’ 45th minute strike, which proved the match-winner in the end.

Despite being down to 10 on two separate occasions Ex-Services continually shut Confederates out and were particularly impressive defending the set-piece, the latter side enjoyed an 11-1 short corner count in their favour.

“The same thing happened in Parkes last week, we defended and we defended but came away with the result. We really pride ourselves on the way we defend those corners,” Ex-Services gun Kayla Orrock said.

“It was pretty scrappy, but the local derby is always hard, you can’t get much better than these local derbies. 

“Feds really stuck it to us (but) it was such a great effort. I’m ecstatic.”

Confederates coach Fiona Reith lamented what could have been but she was still very pleased with her side’s performance.

“It was a really good game of hockey and we can’t take away from Ex-Services, they defended really well and Jade took her chance, she doesn’t miss many of those,” Reith said.

“The composure the girls showed and the performance in general was good (but) I think the girls might have been a bit nervous there, maybe a little wrapped up in the big occasion and the expectation, but they’ll be better for that experience.

“You know, that expectation comes with winning games and that’s something the girls are learning.

“We are still developing so the result was never the be all and end all in this game, the performance was good and I was really pleased with the defensive effort in particular.

“I didn’t realise the short corner count was 11-1 though, so I guess we probably can improve a bit in front of goal.”

Ex-Services won their only short corner of the game in the fourth minute and although they missed the blue and golds enjoyed the run of play for the next five or so minutes.

After that, the entire first half was Confederates’.

On the back of some stunning work in the midfield from Rach Divall, Rachel Hoey, Annabelle Tierney, Millah Allcorn and Eva Reith-Snare, Confederates created a number of chances.

A goal looked only a matter of time, especially when the side won three back-to-back short corners at the 20-minute mark. Ex-Services held them out though and the 0-0 half-time scoreline was undeniably a win for the blue and golds.

Confederates kept coming in the opening stages of the second half but then, after Williams buried her 45th minute strike into the bottom corner, the tide turned.

The panic set in for Confederates while Ex-Services began to link up more effectively.

The two sides continued to battle hard, neither could find the back of the net though.

Until the 69th minute, when Divall pumped in what everyone thought was an equaliser.

It was disallowed though.

Umpire Tiff Brown had blown her whistle for a short corner milliseconds before Divall’s deadly strike and after conferring with fellow official Mac Reith-Snare, upheld the ruling.

It was the correct call, but nonetheless a frustrating one for Confederates, who failed to finish their 11th and final short corner of the game.

Ex-Services stay in fourth after the victory and Confederates drop from second to fifth. Although, goal difference is the factor, the sides sitting second to fifth are all on 12 competition points.

EX-SERVICES 1 (Jade Williams) def CONFEDERATES 0