A WIN for Orange Ex-Services in today’s women’s Premier League Hockey match would make securing a semi-final spot a little easier.

The Orange side will host Bathurst Souths today in a battle between fourth and fifth.

Ex-Services are fourth on the competition ladder with 30 points and Souths are close behind on 28 after defeating Lithgow Zig Zag 1-0 in their catch-up game on Thursday night.

An Ex-Services win would give them a six-point buffer to Souths and possibly a share of third spot.

Ex-Services coach Daryl Kennewell is expecting a big game from his girls after an increase in numbers at training this week.

“This week I expect the girls to hold possession a bit better,” Kennewell said.

“The turf is difficult to play on but with a bit of water on it, it should be a bit quicker. So we need to use our speed up front. It could be a very good game.”

Last week Ex-Services came from behind to escape with a 2-all draw against Zig Zag.

Kennewell expects today’s match will be vastly different.

“Zig Zag play a physical game,” he said.

“Souths are hard but they’re not as physical as Zig Zag. That makes it a bit easier for our smaller girls.

“Our forwards will have to fire like Linda Wilson, Steph Wilson and Danielle Said. They need to be hungry for the ball and our two inners need to do the work to get the ball to them.”

Kennewell said another player who will be important for Ex-Services today and in the future will be Rochelle Dennis.

“Rochelle Dennis in the centre is going to be pivotal,” he said.

“She’s not really confident at centre-half yet because she’s played inner for years but I’m working with her. She’s going to be with the side for a long time and I wanted to give her a more senior role.”

Should Ex-Services score a win today, fellow Orange team Kinross-CYMS could benefit.

Kinross-CYMS is sixth on the competition ladder, six points outside the top five.

They will take on bottom-placed Parkes today and if they win and Ex-Services come out on top, Kinross-CYMS will edge closer to the top five.

Kinross-CYMS and Parkes will go head-to-head at the Orange Hockey Centre from 1.10pm with Ex-Services and Souths clashing at 2.35pm.

In today’s other women’s PLH games Bathurst City host Lithgow Panthers, Bathurst St Pat’s take on Orange Cougars and Zig Zag have the bye.