NORTHERN Star reclaimed the premiership with a convincing 5-2 win over Coraki in the A-Grade men's hockey grand final at the Goonellabah Turf on Saturday.

It took Star six minutes to open its account against a determined Coraki when Brad Hughes converted a penalty corner with a quality flick over a desperate and diving Jackson Gwynne in goal for Coraki. Midway through the section Star's Adam Grill was sitting high and unmarked and picked up a perfect pass and back- sticked a shot through Gwynne's legs to make it 2-0. Coraki pegged one back but it was disallowed in controversial circumstances. Hughes scored his second when he converted a penalty corner conversion with another solid low flick.

 

At the break Star led 3-0 and four minutes into the second section Star was awarded a penalty stroke for an accidental foot which Brad Hughes easily converted to put Star up 4-0. Four minutes later Coraki was awarded a penalty stroke for an accidental foot and Mitch Dunstan made no mistake, smashing it past Cameron Horne in goals for Star. Star scored its fifth when Tom Vantaggiato converted a penalty corner. Frustration snuck into the game and the cards started to flow, with three yellow cards in as many minutes. Harley Brown, fresh from a spell, scored Coraki's second with a cracking back-stick shot that left Horne no chance. Coraki's second half was its better half and it took the game to Star, but the lead was too great and Star did enough to get the win.