Sutherland maintained their challenge for the Sydney Hockey Association premier league minor premiership with a 9-3 victory over Briars on Saturday.
A Matt Bennett hat-trick and a double to Kieran Govers saw Sutho finish as comfortable winners in the end at Sydney Olympic Park.
Scott Govers, Matt Phillips, Christian Halyard and Brady Anderson were also on the score sheet for Sutho.
Alex Shaw received Sutherland’s three best and fairest points.
With Kieran Govers returning from injury a week earlier in the win over Sydney University and Anderson back from the under-21s national titles, Sutherland are starting to look stronger on paper after likely losing Luke Noblett and Cameron Parsons to season-ending injuries.
The win keeps Sutherland level on points with Moorebank-Liverpool at the top of the table with three regular season rounds remaining, with Moorebank enjoying a seven-goal advantage on for and against. Moorebank thrashed St George-Randwick 11-0 on Saturday. They host Glebe this weekend.
Sutho face a tricky test away to Ryde on Saturday night, with the hosts in third place and looking to secure a top three finish of their own.
Sutherland will also have Jack Hayes back from national duty with Australia in Perth.
The match starts at 8pm.
Meanwhile, Sutherland enjoyed a visit from Miranda MP Eleni Petinos on Friday night after the club received $25,000 towards a new synthetic playing surface as part of the community building partnership program.
