The Makos were rarely challenged as they easily disposed of Camden Haven Vipers 5-1 to avenge an opening-round 3-0 defeat in April.

Catherine McLean was the star, banging in a hat-trick while Sarah-Jane Oakeshott and Amy Winterton also managed to get on the score sheet.

An individual piece of brilliance in the second-half from Shae Bradford prevented the Vipers from being completely outclassed.

Makos vice-captain Simone Cook said it was a near-complete performance from her side.

“It should push us up into second position,” she said.

McLean benefited from the work of her teammates further up the field in completing her hat-trick with a minimum of fuss.

“Catherine was probably our best player, but you’ve got to be there in the right spot at the right time,” Cook said.

The four-goal win was important for Port City as it was the Makos second of the year and kept the competition tight at the top.

“There’s only one point separating the top two and five points separates most of the teams,” Cook said.

Vipers goalkeeper Robyn Charlesworth said the Makos were simply too good.

“They’re a strong, experienced side and we were missing four of our more experienced players,” she said.

“The girls didn’t give up; it just wasn’t to be.”

The Vipers had no answers to an impressive first-half performance from Port City.

“They rattled us and scored most of their goals in the opening half,” Charlesworth said.

“We came out and played a lot better in the second half because we didn’t put as much pressure on ourselves.”