Pegasus and Ulster Elks dig deep to stay in play-off spots

After a roller-coaster of a double-weekend, Ulster Elks and Pegasus occupy the women's EY Hockey League playoff places thanks to their Sunday victories.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th Mar 2016, 20:30 BST
Updated 7th Mar 2016, 14:41 BST
Railway Union's Sinead Dooley takes on Pegasus goalkeeper Sammy Jo GreerRailway Union's Sinead Dooley takes on Pegasus goalkeeper Sammy Jo Greer
Railway Union's Sinead Dooley takes on Pegasus goalkeeper Sammy Jo Greer

The Elks are the league’s form side with five wins in succession lifting them to second place.

They won 3-1 in Galway against Greenfields on Saturday with Rebecca Barry’s pair of goals and one from Megan Frazer all coming in the second quarter.

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They followed up with a hugely important 3-2 success against Railway Union at Jordanstown with Megan Frazer, Gemma Frazer and Jessica McMaster on the mark.

For Railway, they had won 1-0 against Pegasus on Saturday with Sinead Dooley’s breakaway goal in the last five minutes proving the only difference between the sides.

That had lifted them back up to second place in the table but their Sunday loss to the Elks drops them into fourth place, albeit with a game in hand on their rivals.

Pegasus had fallen out of the top three due to their loss to Railway but they bounced back in excellent fashion with a 1-0 win over UCD on Sunday. They move up to third place in the standings.

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For UCD, one point from a possible six has left them with three points to make up if they are to get into the playoffs.

The students were denied victory on Saturday by UCC after they led with precious little time remaining.

Aisling Naughton’s pair of goals had them 2-1 up going into the final phases but Saoirse O’Leary grabbed a draw.

Cork Harlequins were another side whose playoff hopes fell away over the weekend. A 1-1 draw with Ards on Saturday chipped away at their outside chances.

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They produced a brilliant comeback from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with Hermes on Sunday but they are now six points away from the top three and pretty much out.

Hermes, already crowned regular season champs, had a forgettable weekend as they lost 2-1 on Saturday to Pembroke – their first defeat of the campaign – as Erika Hinkson and Alice Ward scored for the Serpentine Avenue side.

At the bottom, Ards retained their narrow two point wedge over UCC a the two sides drew on Sunday afternoon 1-1 with Emma Barber and Chloe Brown exchanging goals.