UCD on the move at top of league table

UCD made the big move in the women's EY Hockey League as their double victory over the weekend saw them jump into second place ahead of Railway Union and Pegasus.
By The Newsroom
Published 15th Feb 2016, 03:32 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2016, 07:55 BST
Hannah Grieve on the attack for Pegasus against HermesHannah Grieve on the attack for Pegasus against Hermes
Hannah Grieve on the attack for Pegasus against Hermes

They got the best of Railway 3-2 on Saturday afternoon thanks to goals from Emily Beatty, Deirdre Duke and Elaine Carey before running up a 3-1 win over UCC on Sunday in Cork.

It comes at an important time in the race for the guaranteed EY Champions Trophy playoff places which will be handed to the top three finishers.

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Miles Warren’s side had fallen behind on Saturday against Railway early on but bounced back to lead 3-1 and they duly held off a concerted late fightback from their Sandymount rivals. The win against UCC was more routine.

Hermes dropped points for the first time in the campaign in a stunning 3-3 draw with Pegasus at Queen’s, their perfect run falling in game 13.

Hannah Grieve’s deflected shot earned the Ulster side a share of the spoils after Hermes had led three times in a fantastically open, attacking tie.

The draw does not overly damage the Booterstown club’s chances of landing the title due to results elsewhere. They now need four points from their remaining five games to land the title.

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Cork Harlequins produced a brilliant 16 minute spell that yielded four goals to see them get the better of Pembroke 5-1, leap-frogging their opponents in the process.

Karen Bateman started the run in the 26th minute before Miriam Crowley, Yvonne O’Byrne and Cliodhna Sargent’s penalty stroke extended the gap to 4-0 and game over with 18 minutes left.

Ulster Elks ended their five game losing streak in some style, beating UCC 7-0 on Saturday before easing to a 3-0 win over Greenfields on Sunday. They jump up to sixth place.

Ards’ 2-0 win over Greenfields on Saturday, meanwhile, eases any imminent fears of being brought back into the mix for a relegation play-off place.