WE have now settled into the new Women’s Premier League season under the conference system and Round 2 this season sees three more fascinating contests from 1pm at Bicton Pool and HBF Stadium respectively.

The opening round of the Premier League season for 2017-18 got underway last Saturday with teams competing in the Fremantle and UWA conferences.

That will continue this Saturday beginning at 1pm at Bicton Pool with the Fremantle Conference matches seeing Applecross play the Melville Marlins before Dolphins take on the North Coast Phoenix.

The UWA Conference contest will take place at HBF Stadium also at 1pm with the UWA City Beach Blues playing the Rangers.

Starting with the Fremantle Conference match ups, both Applecross and the Marlins made winning starts to the new season last Saturday so it’s a terrific chance now for one of them to go 2-0 and begin to open an advantage on top of the standings.

Applecross took out a thrilling 8-7 victory against the Phoenix last Saturday with Sarah Leavy starring with three goals and two each to Sofia Chaves and Kelly Parks. Brodie Neesham also did well in goals.

Melville has been the dominant club in the Women’s Premier League and again won last season’s premiership. The Marlins started the 2017-18 campaign in ominous fashion again with an 8-4 victor over Dolphins last Saturday.

It’s a star-studded Marlins team and they were led by Erin Redbond with five goals but Chloe Nella, Mercedes Ralph and company were also tremendous.

That sets the stage for a tremendous contest to get proceedings underway on Saturday at Bicton Pool between the two Melville teams.

Then it’s time for Dolphins to take on the Phoenix with both looking for their opening wins of the 2017-18 season.

Dolphins went down to Melville last Saturday despite two goals from Nicole Wallace and despite a starring effort in goals from Fremantle Marlins and Australian star Lillian Hedges.

North Coast narrowly lost to Applecross last Saturday as well despite two goals each from Claire Pierce and Zoe Stenhouse.

Falling to 0-2 would be far from ideal start to the new season so both the Phoenix and Dolphins will throw everything at the win on Saturday at Bicton Pool.

It’s then the battle of UWA City Beach teams at HBF Stadium at 1pm on Saturday in the UWA Conference as the Blues take on the Rangers.

The Blues played Triton last Saturday losing 3-1 to Triton with Pippa Pedley their goal scorer.

The Rangers had the bye last Saturday and they will now make their first appearance of the new season with a team featuring the likes of Torpedoes star Dayna O’Leary.

With Triton already having a win on the board and looking strong, it will be an important contest on Saturday between the UWA City Beach teams to sort out the pecking order early in the new season.

PREMIER LEAGUE 2017-18 WOMEN’S COMPETITION FIXTURES

ROUND 2 – Saturday October 21
Fremantle Conference
Applecross v Melville Marlins – Bicton Pool 1pm
Dolphins v North Coast Phoenix – Bicton Pool 2.15pm

UWA Conference
UWA City Beach Blues v UWA City Beach Rangers – HBF Stadium 1pm