ALEX COCKRAM bagged four goals as City of York Hockey Club men's I trounced Newcastle University I 7-1 in North League division one.
The Huntington School-based club extended their unbeaten run to 15 games and pulled 11 points clear of their promotion rivals.
York came under early pressure but they broke away, dissecting Newcastle with some expert passing, and Alex Cockram celebrated his 28th birthday with a tap-in at the back post.
The hosts continued to pile on the pressure and, after forcing a short corner, Rich Jenkin converted a powerful drag flick.
Alex Cockram was again on hand at the back post to make it 3-0, before Newcastle replied with a goal after dribbling along the edge of the 'D' and lifting it over the defence into the top corner.
At the start of the second half, Ant Bull latched onto a Jenkin ball into the 'D' for his fifth goal in as many games.
Alex Cockram and Ben Bull went close before man-of-the-match Cockram was fouled as he was about to shoot and he converted the penalty flick to bring up his hat-trick.
Newcastle were then caught pushing too far forward, and York counter-attacked rapidly before feeding Alex Cockram to convert his fourth goal.
Rich Cockram laid the ball off to Jenkin in the 'D' and his powerful reverse-shot made it 7-1.
City of York II produced a stirring comeback against Yorkshire League premier division leaders York University I before going down 5-4.
The students raced into a 4-0 lead inside the opening 20 minutes.
City's Robbie Unsworth saw his lob well tipped over by the keeper, before Richard Chandler forced the ball home from Matt Horn's cross.
The students scored again just before half-time to make it 5-1 at the break.
City started the second half with purpose and Chris Dutton scored on his reverse before Pete Perryman saw his effort clear the bar.
The arrears were reduced by Unsworth and, ten minutes from time, man-of-the-match Dutton touched home Perryman's cross to make it 5-4.
In division two, City of York III drew 2-2 at Huddersfield Dragons II.
The deadlock was broken by York after a short corner routine. Ben Foster found Danny Vaughn and his strike was saved by the keeper only for Tim Lister to net the rebound.
York failed to convert a series of chances and Huddersfield equalised when the umpires failed to see their player chest the ball before volleying home.
York regained the lead ten minutes into the second half after some sublime skill from Mark Moisley. He found Lister, who drew the keeper out before passing to an unmarked Foster to smash the ball home.
SHARP SHOOTER: Alex Cockram scores one of his four goals
A number of errors in the last ten minutes allowed Huddersfield to snatch a draw.
City of York IV's 13-game winning run came to an end as they lost 3-1 at Slazengers II in division three.
The home side took the lead, but City levelled five minutes later through Greg Sykes.
Slazengers won the game with two goals in the final ten minutes.
In division six north, City of York VIII lost 4-2 to Thirsk III, with City's goals coming from James Crellin and Ivor Guest.
City of York Badgers were 3-2 winners over Huddersfield's development side.
A brace of goals from Hamish Broadbent added to a first Badgers goal from Jack Allerton.
BIG-HITTER: City of York's Rich Cockram fires in a shot against Newcastle University
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here