TO paraphrase an old sporting adage, defence wins games, offence just determines by how much.

A truer word couldn’t have been spoken following Ex-Services’ 4-nil victory over Confederates in Saturday’s women’s Premier League Hockey Orange derby, a win created from steely defence.

In a clash where the score line didn’t reflect the nature of the game, Confederates had far more opportunities to find the back of the net than their opponents but as Ex-Services coach Mitch Kennewell said after the match, his side capitalised better.

“We didn’t actually have that many chances really,” Kennewell said.

“We didn’t pepper their circle or anything, we just took the chances we did get. And they were smart goals, they took their time and made sure of them.

“We found the back of the net virtually every time we tried, which is great because finishing has been our problem.”

Gun defender Mel Hope orchestrated her side’s defensive efforts from the back, while Haley Butcherine and Leanne Kennewell starred through the midfield.

Butcherine opened the scoring, slotting a seventh minute chance to give her side the lead and she would have grabbed a double minutes later if not for a deft Steph Hinds save.

Boom 2015 recruit Madie Smith extended Ex-Services’ lead to two in the 12th minute, slamming home a great ball from Chloe Barrett, but for the remainder of the first period Confederates enjoyed the bulk of possession and field position.

The red and blues consistently found themselves in attacking position, but a lack of execution combined with an inspired defensive effort from Ex-Services kept them from scoring, with the score remaining 2-nil at half-time.

Although she was quiet in the first half, Ex-Services gun Leanne Kennewell put on a clinic after half-time, scoring a goal and playing a vital role in virtually every other attacking raid her side had in the second period.

Her 46th minute goal, combined with Jade Williams’ in the 49th, was enough to secure Ex-Services the 4-nil victory.

“Confederates threw a lot at us, it was definitely closer than the score said it was,” Kennewell said.

“We’re pretty happy with the win, particularly the way the girls finished up front, and the amazing defence.

“Haley, her skill, and the little touches she puts in are incredible.”

Confederates coach Mark Pengilly said the loss was frustrating, considering his side had the better of possession.

“We built up play really well, we just couldn’t get it in the back of the net,” he said.

“We’re happy with the way we’re playing, we took it to them for a lot of that game.

“It was to and fro in the second half, and we let them counter attack too freely.”

Confederates winger Annabelle Tierney, despite being in a losing side, was close to the best player of the field while Smith, Barrett and Mel Woods were also strong for Ex-Services.

ORANGE EX-SERVICES 4 (Haley Butcherine, Madie Smith, Leanne Kennewell, Jade Williams) def CONFEDERATES 0.