TOM Sweeney bagged a hat-trick as Northern Storm sent a fierce warning to their title rivals with a 7-1 demolition of Bellingen Bats in the HIT105.5 Men’s Premier League on Saturday.
The reigning champions took control early at the Coffs Coast Synthetic Fields, storming to a 3-0 lead by half-time through a Sweeney double and a sharp finish from Campbell Brear.
Bellingen showed some resistance after the break, with Aidan Danzey slicing through the Storm defence to reduce the deficit to 3-1 with a tidy low finish.
But any thoughts of a comeback were quickly crushed.
Sweeney sealed his hat-trick minutes later, tapping in after slick lead-up play from Muan Nen Sian down the left wing.
From there, it was one-way traffic.
Brear fired home his second before Nen Sian capped a dazzling solo run with a classy finish from a tight angle.
Jyden Pike added the final blow in the 86th minute to round out the commanding victory.
The result cements Storm’s position in second spot on the ladder, five points behind Coffs City United with a game in hand.
Coffs United kept their title push alive with a 4-1 win over Westlawn Tigers at Barnier Park.
Storm now face a crucial clash against third-placed Yamba Breakers in Yamba on Saturday, 17 May at 5.30pm.
Coffs United Lions will host 2024 premiers Woolgoolga Wolves at Forsyth Park on the same evening, with kick-off at 5pm.
By David WIGLEY
