The Perth Thundersticks women are on top of the Hockey One table, one of two just undefeated teams after two rounds, following a second straight win on the road, this time over HC Melbourne.

The back-to-back champions struck first just three minutes into the game when Madi Ratcliffe converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag flick before Sophie Murphy levelled the scores from a penalty corner just before quarter-time.

Goalkeeper Summer Greenway produced several crucial saves in the first and was called on again in the second to keep scores tied.

But the Thundersticks were able to break the deadlock in the third quarter through a well-timed tackle by Belle Ramshaw, a surging run from Ratcliffe and Neasa Flynn with a strong finish at the net. After Flynn was brought down during the conversion attempt by HC Melbourne goalkeeper Bridget Laurance, Courtney Schonell stepped up and converted the penalty stroke.

The Thundersticks absorbed plenty of pressure in the final quarter, Greenway producing yet another save from a penalty stroke late in the game to secure the victory.

It’s a completely different story for the men, who sit second last on the table after a second consecutive loss.

The Thundersticks created plenty of early attacking opportunities and earned a string of penalty corners but HC Melbourne weathered the pressure before Josh Simmonds scored a field goal, though keeper Hunter Banyard prevented the subsequent conversion.

A late penalty corner goal from Nathan Ephraums gave HC Melbourne a 2-0 lead at quarter-time.

There was no addition to the score in the second but HC Melbourne extended the lead again through Ephraums before Perth finally got on the board through Harry Golding, who also converted the reduce the lead to 3-2.

But HC Melbourne answered quickly through Duncan Jackson, who also converted to restore his side’s three-goal lead going into three-quarter-time, which remained the final score at full time.

The Thundersticks remain on the road this weekend when they tackle NSW Pride.