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NSW claim men's Hockey One crown in style

AAP
NSW Pride has won the inaugural Hockey One men's title with an easy victory over the Brisbane Blaze.
Camera IconNSW Pride has won the inaugural Hockey One men's title with an easy victory over the Brisbane Blaze.

A Tim Brand first half hat-trick paved the way for NSW Pride to claim the inaugural Hockey One men's championship by thrashing Brisbane Blaze 8-3 in Melbourne.

The win caps off a remarkable season for the Pride, who went through the competition undefeated to secure New South Wales' first national title since 2005.

Brand's treble rocked the Blaze before NSW piled on five goals in the final quarter at the State Hockey and Netball Centre on Saturday to win the revamped national hockey league in emphatic fashion.

Brisbane opened the scoring when Joel Rintala was on target with their first penalty corner but Brand replied two minutes later and then slammed home his bonus conversion to give NSW a lead they never relinquished.

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Brand was on target again before halftime then Jack Hayes and Flynn Ogilvie found the net then added their bonus conversions to allow NSW to coast home.

"We had a game plan we worked with throughout the eight weeks ... for the players to execute it and realise the importance of playing for their teammates was amazing," said NSW coach Brent Livermore.

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"I think there were a lot of opportunities for both teams. Their radar was off a few times and our defence stood strong like it has for the whole campaign.

"The result was probably a bit flattering, it was a tough battle and we just had to win our one-on-one contests and overcome them."

The win was especially pleasing for veteran Ogilvie.

"I played in the old Australian Hockey League for seven years and didn't get a chance to win one, so to win it now is amazing and great for the state," he said.

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