Hockey: Brown hat trick in University win

Kiriana Brown continued her good form with a hat trick as University A comprehensively outclassed City Highlanders A in a 4-1 victory on Saturday.

It was not long before Varsity worked into its smooth passing game, in the face of a stalwart defence from City led by Sonya McEwan.

The students took the lead when they broke into the circle and a simple cross-shot to the right post was deflected in by Brown.

Concerted pressure from Varsity in the City defensive quarter led to a further reverse stick shot, again converted by Brown.

City managed to reply with a fast break down the left, finished by a classic shot past the goalie from the edge of the circle by left inner Lydia McLean.

The goal injected new life into City, which had looked to be in danger of crumpling under Varsity pressure.

But the second half saw normal service resumed, with Varsity attacking through the middle, a deft dribble around the defence and a reverse-stick shot from Brown for a 3-1 lead.

The students' long, accurate passes were taking the game out of City's reach as they probed first one side and then the other to maintain pressure.

The students withstood any attacks with poise and always seemed able to find a pass that turned defence into attack.

Inevitably, one of their many assaults on the City defence led to a fluid passing move into the left of the City circle and an unstoppable Kirsty Slater shot into the right of the goal to round off the scoring.

In other premier games, Momona beat Taieri 4-1 and Kings United beat St Hilda's 1-0.

 - Shirley Gillett