Canterbury 6 Chelmsford 3

GREG NICOL scored four times as Canterbury Hockey Club's men booked their place in the last eight of the HA Cup with a 6-3 victory over Chelmsford at Polo Farm on Sunday.

The former South African international was in scintillating form, hitting a first-half hat-trick as Canterbury raced into a 4-0 lead inside half an hour.

Nicol claimed his first after 12 minutes, firing home after a Dave Mathews' flick had been blocked and just three minutes later Mathews doubled the lead sliding into meet Jess Dowsing's unselfish pass.

The scorer then turned provider on 18 minutes, playing Nicol in at the far post and Canterbury went further in front when Nicol took Brian Garcia's pass and struck with an unstoppable effort.

Mathews claimed his second with a trademark short corner flick on 38 minutes but Division 1 Chelmsford then hit back with goals from Will Hales (2) and Luke Mepham before Nicol rounded off the scoring in the final minute by converting a penalty flick.