Hale recorded their first win of the Melville Toyota League season with an emphatic 5-0 victory over Peel Rebels in Geraldton. Geoff Cock was the star man on Saturday, scoring four and assisting with the other in a five star performance. Hale had a lightening quick start to the game, scoring in the opening minute. A Penalty Stroke was awarded, which Geoff Cock duly converted into the top left hand corner to open his and Hale’s account.

Three minutes later, Cock would make it 2-0 after a sublime pass by Lachlan Ashton found the target man in the circle.

Both sides had to contend with the wet conditions, which saw 36.4mm of rain fall at the Mitchell & Brown Stadium in Geraldton. It was Hale though that best adapted to the conditions, taking an early two goal lead.

The downpour was too much in the twenty fourth minute of the game and the umpires paused proceedings momentarily. Hale had a couple of penalty corners soon after the restart, having to create some interesting variations with the puddles prohibiting ‘normal play’.

The second half started in much the same way as the first half, with Hale dominating the game. Peel Rebels found it difficult to gain momentum in their fleeting moments of possession.

Cock was pivotal up front for Hale, troubling Peel’s defence. The Goalscorer would turn provider for Hale’s third when the star man was fouled just outside the circle. Instead of going on to take a shot himself; he laid it off to Greg Reece, with the captain’s shot skipping under Mike Smith and into the back of the goal to extend the margin to three.

Damon Ross almost got himself on the scoreboard in the 49 minute. His shot from an acute angle slide past the goalkeeper, but Marshall Puzey was on hand to clear the ball off the goal-line.

Cock would bring up his hat-trick and Hale’s fourth not long after. Dwayne Rowsell played in Cock with a sublime ball which was finished off with class.

Peel had a couple of chances themselves in the latter stages of the game, earning a couple of penalty corners. Hale were able to quickly counter from a Peel corner which saw them win a short themselves. This time, a variation saw Geoff Cock slide across the turf. His deflection gave Mike Smith no chance in goals and with it, Hale’s fifth and final goal of the game.

Cock was inches away from having a fifth, when his tomahawk cannoned off the right hand post.

Peel had a penalty corner right at the end, but Aiden Elliot who was celebrating his 18th birthday got his body behind it to keep a clean sheet.

The win see’s Geoff Cock break his goal drought in impressive fashion, as well as secure Hale’s first points of the season. Peel meanwhile will have to wait at least another week to record a win.

Before the game; Hockey WA facilitated an umpiring and ‘coach the coaches’ session for the Geraldton locals by former Hockeyroo Hope Munro and Melissa Grey. Afterwards, the kids had the chance to quiz Munro about her experiences coming from the country area to participating in two Olympic Games for Australia. An autograph and photo session followed to cap off a wonderful day up in Geraldton.

Hockey WA would like to thank the Department of Sport and Recreation for their considerable support for which this event would not otherwise be possible. Thanks also to the Geraldton Hockey Association for their hospitality, as well as CBH for their continued support in Country hockey.

Final Score: Hale 5 (Geoff Cock 1’ PS, 4’, 50’, 63’ PC, Greg Reece 38’ PC) defeated Peel Rebels 0

Match day Squads Hale 1. Lachlan Ashton, 2. Justin Knapp (Captain), 4. Geoff Cock, 5. Morgon Dry, 7. Greg Reece, 10. Scott McCormack, 11. Chris Lawson, 13. Chris Moses, 18. Steve Cock, 20. Michael Ferguson, 21. Nat Curtin, 22. Damon Ross, 27. Aidan Elliot (GK), 28. Dwayne Rowsell, 31. Robbie Bear. Coach: Craig Emslie Manager: Catherine McFarlane

Peel Rebels 1. Nicholas Resta (Import), 2. Marshall Puzey, 3. Dylan Squibb, 4. Liam Smith, 5. Alex Wenn, 6. David Ogden, 7. Aaron Reichard, 8. Jordan Barrodeen, 9. George Farrant (Import), 10. Andrew Sutherland (Import), 11. Nathan Squibb, 12. Cale Varris (Captain), 13. Paul Morrissey, 14.Gavin Bathgate, 15. Mathew Rose (Import), 20. Mike Smith (GK). Coach: Mark Sandhu Manager: Mark Barrodeen

Umpires: Hope Munro and Dan Johnston Technical Official: Bree Coleman