It was the Premier League Hockey Orange Confederate star that dazzled the Bathurst defence, after she bagged four goals in a crucial Astley Cup tie on Friday afternoon.

Played at the Cooke Hockey Complex, Reith-Snare scored her first in the final 30 seconds of the first half to break the 0-all deadlock. 

Orange coach Pete Shea said it was a typical Astley Cup game. 

“Close, well competed across the whole game,” he said. 

“Both sides put everything into it, which is exactly what you want.”

Shea praised the effort of the game’s only goalscorer. 

“She’s [Reith-Snare] a quality player without a doubt,” he said.

“She’s been at a high level for a long time and giving her an opportunity up front was the difference. She created a few, scored a few which is very skillful of her.”

Reith-Snare was not the only one getting the credit from the coach. 

“There’s some pretty good talent out there,” he said. 

“There’s always a lot of pressure on the hockey girls to score lots of goals. They’ve been a good, quality side for many years. We expect we’ll go well for most weeks and it gives us a chance.”

“This is what this competition is about – putting yourself in with a chance. We scored a goal at the end; that gives us a couple more points.”

The opening stages of the first half was scrappy and tight, we both teams keen not to give away any chances.

Bathurst goalkeeper Zara Grant made several great saves throughout the first half, but Reith-Snare scored with seconds remaining.

The 1-0 lead at the break saw a momentum switch in favour of Orange and Reith-Snare scored her second, minutes into the second half. 

With 23 minutes to play, Reith-Snare bagged her hat-trick.

Orange’s Sarah Bennett was given a green card, which meant her team went down to 10 girls for two minutes.

This, however, did not dampen Orange’s goal-scoring mood, as Reith-Snare scored in the last play of the game to seal a 4-0 win. 

Bathurst coach Jacqui Hood was proud of her girls in defeat. 

“I thought the girls played really,” she said. 

“One player from Orange [Reith-Snare] we couldn’t control. Ella Davis [for Bathurst] done an amazing job, all our attacking forwards done a good job whenever they had an opportunity. Our little year 7 goal keeper [Zara Grant] done an amazing job.

“We lost 6-1 last year and to come back to 4-0, we’re pleased.”

Hood said the goal just before half-time “hurt”, but “that’s how it is”.