Metso Matamata Swifts have taken to life at the top of the Waikato Premier League (WPL) table like it's the most natural thing on earth. Having gone to the top after last Saturday's win against Huntly, the Swifts extended their lead following this comprehensive victory of bottom side West Hamilton.

The star of the day for Matamata was striker, Neil Slater, who rammed home four of his side's six goals. Slater completed a first half hat trick and notched another goal late on to complete a good day at the office.

His first goal, a headed effort from a Scott Parsonage cross, got the Swifts underway within the first ten minutes against a talented, but inexperienced, West Hamilton side.

The game was level on the quarter hour after West Hamilton scored from a freekick just outside the box. The visitors enjoyed their best period of the game over the next ten minutes or so, but once Slater struck for a second time there was only going to be one winner.

Slater's third was almost a copy of his second, coming as it did from another set piece.

Once the Swifts found their rhythm their performance was a delight to behold. The central midfield trio of Alberto Romero, Andy Birchenough and John Massey controlled the game. Romero decided this would be the match to open his account for the season and, after striking the upright early on and firing off a number of shots from distance, he finally got on the board early in the second half. He rolled the ball home from close range after a flowing Swifts movement.

The scoreline of 4-1 was comfortable enough, but the Swifts were able to extend their lead in the last ten minutes. Slater grabbed his fourth and then a West Hamilton defender bundled the ball into his own net from a teasing Scott Parsonage cross.

The Swifts were able to hand a debut to talented fourteen year old, Gareth Clarke. Clarke scored a hat trick for the Matamata College 1st XI in the morning then came off the bench and went close to adding to his tally for the day near the end of this match.

A huge bonus from this match was the fact that Matamata was able to take double points and double goals following a pre-match agreement between the two clubs. This rather unique arrangement came about due to the prospect of fixture congestion over the next month.

Matamata has two more WPL matches left this season and could wrap up their second consecutive title next Saturday, but they face the tough prospect of a visit to Ngaruawahia. After the WPL wraps up the Swifts will complete their season in the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Super League.