Hotham scored six goals in six games for Bathurst during their 2010 State League campaign and she replicated that form for her club, scoring a hat-trick as she helped them to their most comprehensive win of the season.

The win could not have come at a better time.

Since Bathurst City’s entry into the Premier League Hockey ranks they have been one of the true heavyweights, winning back-to-back premierships in 2007-08 and finishing runners-up to St Pat’s last season.

They have forged a reputation for being determined in defence and dangerous in attack, yet in season 2010 Bathurst City have somewhat struggled to to find the dominance they have enjoyed in seasons past.

However, after drawing with competition leaders St Pat’s before the general bye, the demolition of Zig Zag and yesterday’s 4-0 over Parkes, Bathurst City have charged up the ladder from sixth position to now sit in second.

According to City coach Jillian Long, having a fully fit squad at her disposal played a large role in Saturday’s win.

Hotham has been one of the players missing for City due to injury and in her return performance against Zig Zag she showed her worth as she opened the scoring for her team and continued to create headaches with her speed and skill.

“Having Jess was really good, she certainly is a focal point for us, but we also had everyone else fully fit too which really made a difference,” Long said.

“It was only two up at half-time but we did play well after that in the second half. Six is certainly one of the better efforts from us this season.”

While the scoreline points to a total City domination, it was far from the case as the visitors were the ones who held the early momentum.

The young Zig Zag side constantly tested the City defence in the opening period, but the hosts held on.

The strong defensive effort lifted the rest of the City players and when Hotham scored her first for the day, it signalled a switch in the game.

City went from being under pressure to being in control, Tanya Lowe, Esther Hotham and a Mel McNab penalty corner conversion adding to Jess Hotham’s efforts.

The only dampener in the match for City was when Brooke Wallace came off in the final five minutes with a groin strain.

Long could not have been more pleased with the effort, City not only keeping a clean sheet but finally showing finishing touches in attack.

“The Zig Zag girls really did look like they were going to score first, they were all over us in the first 15 minutes, but we held them out and then we started to pick things up,” Long said.

“Our defence played very, very well but today our attack finished off and that is what we have been worried about all year.”

BATHURST CITY 6 (Jess Hotham 3, Esther Hotham, Tanya Lowe, Mel McNab) defeated LITHGOW ZIG ZAG 0