O’Brien’s hat-trick marks welcome return

It was a big welcome back to the South West Strikers for former skipper and fairest and best winner David O’Brien as they scored a hard-won 4-2 Willow Bridge Cup victory over Newman Knights at the Bunbury Hockey on Saturday.

O’Brien notched a hat trick in the victory to keep the Strikers in the hunt for a possible second place finish.

The veteran’s class was evident while playing out of position as he scored three of the four goals in a scrappy match that could have yielded a dozen goals for the Strikers.

Brought on and off the bench by coach Allan McGeoch, O’Brien has eased back into the action after nearly two seasons as non-playing assistant coach, with Saturday’s man-of-the match performance his best to date.

The Strikers had 14 penalty corners and hit the uprights twice and the crossbar twice in a game of millimetres.

It was 1-1 at half-time before the home team scored three consecutive goals, the other to Geoff Neaves, before Newman found a late consolation.