Heading into the clash at the Cooke Hockey Complex sitting in third on the ladder, four points clear of Confederates, the Saints knew victory would be enough to ensure themselves a top-three finish.

Against a Souths outfit which had to draw a host of players from the club’s local first grade side, the Saints always looked in control.

Seven goals came in the first half, while the blues and whites earned seven penalty corners for the match against a rival which battled hard, but was outclassed.

“We has set plans for each half and we executed them so well, which was good to see. I knew it would be one of those games where we held the ball more often that not and to create goals, you’ve got to hold the ball,” Pat’s coach Jaden Ekert said.

“We had to control the ball and concentrate on our game because we knew what they’d have. We did all the basics right and it was good. It secures us a home semi and puts more goals into out for and against.”

Pat’s opened scoring in the 12^th minute as Kristy Ekert was given too much space at the top of the circle, that goal one of four she finished with.

Souths had a chance not long after with back-to-back penalty corners. The Saints not only shut them down, but launched a quick counter-attack from the second.

It resulted in Ruby Clarke’s maiden Premier League Hockey goal.

Pat’s lead grew as the game unfolded, the 10^th goal coming with three minutes left, but Souths continued to work hard.

That endeavour was rewarded with 68 seconds left when a diving Daisy Morrissey connected with an Amelia Burke cross to score.

Though well beaten, Souths captain Ali Stanford maintained the positive approach that the two blues have adopted over the back end of the season.

Stanford was involved in forcing plenty of turnovers, goalkeeper Kate Brown made a string of good saves – including more than one double-block - while Morrissey’s late strike came after nice build up down the left side.

“We are still playing with essentially a first grade side but we’re happy. For the girls to have pride in themselves to keep playing to the end, that goal proves we can and will do it,” Stanford said.

“It was such a good team goal and I am just really proud of the girls. It's not easy playing against a side like that which has had it’s structures for such a long time.”