Pembroke Wanderers out on their own in EY Hockey League

Pembroke Wanderers now have sole possession of top spot in the EY Hockey League after they made it four wins in a row on Saturday with a 4-1 defeat of Catholic Institute, while Old Alexandra’s winning streak came to an end when they drew with UCD.

A week after inflicting on Pegasus their first defeat of the season, Pembroke got off to a flier against third-placed Institute, Emily Beatty setting up Tori Wensley for a score after just nine minutes. And they were 3-0 up by half-time though Orla Macken and Claire Foley, Emma Buckley denying Institute a way back in to the game with some fine goalkeeping.

Roisin Upton gave the Limerick side some hope, though, with a penalty stroke 10 minutes from time, but after soaking up intense pressure Pembroke finished off the scoring right at the death when Foley got her second of the game.

Over at Milltown, a final quarter goal from UCD’s Niamh Carey denied Alexandra their fifth win in a row, Abbie Russell having given them a second quarter lead, and they are now level on points with Pegasus, two behind Pembroke, after the Belfast side beat bottom club Cork Harlequins 6-0.

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It was a comfortable trip to Farmers Cross for the defending champions, Alex Speers, Ella Armstrong and Ruth Maguire all scoring in the opening quarter, before Shirley McCay, Lucy McKee and Emma Quinn completed the rout in the second half.

Railway Union are now level on points with Institute in fourth place after a 4-0 win over Belfast Harlequins, Zara Delany, Emma Smyth, Kate Dillon and Flo Maughan getting their goals, while Loreto beat Muckross by the same scoreline with scores from Sarah Torrans, Hannah Matthews and a double from Siofra O’Brien in the final quarter.

Hockey League - Division One: Cork Harlequins 0, Pegasus 6 (A Speers, E Armstrong, R Maguire, S McCay, L McKee, E Quinn); Loreto 4 (S Torrans, H Matthews, S O'Brien 2), Muckross 0; Old Alexandra 1 (A Russell), UCD 1 (N Carey); Pembroke Wanderers 4 (T Wensley, O Macken, C Foley 2), Catholic Institute 1 (R Upton); Railway Union 4 (Z Delany, E Smyth, K Dillon, F Maughan), Belfast Harlequins 0.