Old Alexandra primed for big clash with Pembroke

After their 1-0 win over Pegasus last weekend, Old Alexandra should have a spring in their step when they host Pembroke Wanderers on Saturday, the Milltown club the only one to have beaten the EY Hockey League leaders so far this season.

Emma Russell scored the goal that decided the sides' meeting back in October and it was her sister Abbie who got last weekend's winner over Pegasus, a result that put Alexandra level on 24 points with the Belfast club, two behind Catholic Institute and another three adrift of Pembroke.

It’s a pivotal game for Alexandra, then – a second victory over Pembroke would put them right back in the title race but a defeat would all but end their hopes.

Come Sunday, Pembroke head south to take on Cork Harlequins, making it a daunting double-header of a weekend for the bottom club who meet Institute on Saturday.

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Pegasus will attempt to get back on track when they host fifth-placed Loreto at Queens, the teams playing out a scoreless draw when they met in Dublin earlier in the campaign.

While a good run of results in the final third of the season could shake things up yet, for now Loreto, Railway Union and UCD are battling it out for fifth and sixth in the table which will earn a play-off place for qualification for the Champions Trophy semi-finals, as will third and fourth.

Railway are level on points with Loreto and will fancy adding to their tally when they meet second-from-bottom Muckross at Park Avenue, while UCD are on the road to take on third-from-bottom Belfast Harlequins at Deramore Park.

Hockey League – Division One - Saturday: Belfast Harlequins v UCD, Deramore Park, 12.45; Catholic Institute v Cork Harlequins, Rosbrien, 1.0; Old Alexandra v Pembroke, Milltown, 1.30; Pegasus v Loreto, Queens, 12.45; Railway Union v Muckross, Park Avenue, 3.0. Sunday: Cork Harlequins v Pembroke Wanderers, Farmers' Cross, 1.15.