The Western Australian men’s and women’s AHL teams have qualified for the semi finals of the 2012 tournament edition, with both sides finishing second in their respective leagues.

The WA Thundersticks, suffered a shock 2-1 loss to South Australia in its final round match in Canberra, but still progressed to the semi finals with a five win, two loss record from its seven matches. The defending champion will face New South Wales on Friday for a spot in the 2012 grand final.

Having taken the lead in the 19^th minute, the Thundersticks appeared goo value to protect its top ranked standing in the Australian Hockey League. A second half fight-back from the South Australians however, turned the ladder on its head, with goals to Alistair Wick from a 59^thminute penalty corner, and Tom Wickham via a 65^th minute field goal relegating WA to second place, and a tough semi final clash with NSW.

The loss to South Australia, bookended what has been a strange campaign thus far from the West Australians, who followed a thumping 6-0 defeat in its first match, with a five match un-beaten streak before losing its last match in the nation’s capital.

The WA Diamonds ended their round phase of the women’s tournament in Perth with a 3-2 win over Victoria and will face the Vipers again on Friday in the second semi-final, with the winner to face either Queensland or New South Wales in 2012 playoff. The Diamonds ended their seven match campaign with five wins, one lose and a draw.

WA will be in high spirits for the clash however, having hung on through a bitter Victorian second half onslaught to secure the one goal win and consolidate second spot.

Goals to Caitlin Pascov (32m), Katherine Slattery (38m) and Katy Symons (42m) appeared to have the Diamonds headed for a comfortable victory, before the Vipers stung back with two goals in four minutes to set up a barn-storming finish. WA was able to resist, and will take bragging rights into the semi final rematch at the Perth International Hockey Stadium on Friday.