ORANGE Ex-Services stalwart Mel Hope sent a menacing warning out to Bathurst Souths, and the rest of the competition, leading into the two sides’ women’s Premier League Hockey round six clash on Saturday - watch out.

After being stripped of points a little over a week ago for fielding unregistered players in round one - a punishment the club strongly disagrees with after being given explicit permission to do so - Hope said her side is hell-bent on beating Souths this weekend to kick-start their march back to the top of the standings.

Basically, she said Ex-Services have more desire to succeed than ever.

“The debacle with the points has stoked the fire in our bellies, we want this premiership more than ever and now we have a point to prove,” Hope fired, inadvertently confirming the sides’ title aspirations.

“We are extra motivated (to win and keep on winning).”

Although, she conceded toppling the fifth-placed Bathurst side isn’t as simple as just saying they’ll do so. She, and her troops, know they’ll need to be willing to do plenty of hard yakka on Saturday afternoon to score the four competition points.

Primarily, that means outmuscling the traditionally powerful Souths unit.

“Souths are a good side, we never underestimate them,” Hope said.

“They’re very physical in the way they play, so it’s always a solid, physical contest and we’re looking forward to it.

“I think our ability to move the ball around and work together as a whole unit is a key factor for us.”

Ex-Services come into the clash on the back of a bye, prior to that they were undefeated after wins over Bathurst St Pat’s, Confederates and Dubbo Blue Jays along with a draw against Bathurst City - although, the first result reverted to a 5-0 loss thanks to the previously mentioned indiscretion.

Souths on the other hand, benefitted from Parkes United fielding unregistered players in round five, scoring a 5-0 win as a result after originally drawing the game 2-2. In rounds one through four, Souths had one win and three losses.

Ex-Service and Souths lock horns from 1.10pm, at Orange Hockey Complex.