Pegasus and UCD top their pools

WEEKEND HOCKEY:PEGASUS AND UCD top their respective pools after the latest round of Irish Hockey League matches at the weekend. The Ulster champions beat Hermes 3-1 in Belfast to go two points clear in Pool A while the students took advantage of Railway Union and Armagh's draws to move a point clear of both sides in Pool B.

Loreto, meanwhile, revived their hopes of reaching the semi-finals with a 4-1 victory over UCC at Beaufort, goals from Nikki Symmons (two), Caitriona Tipping and Nikki Keegan earning them a bonus point.

That result lifts them above Hermes who they meet in their final pool game next month, but before then they must travel to Catholic Institute, the Limerick side still in contention for a place in the last four after taking a bonus point from their trip to Belfast Harlequins. Elaine Bromell (two) and Eimear Cregan, who retired from international hockey last week, got the goals in a fine 3-0 win.

Pegasus, though, are the competition’s form team, the only one of the 12 to win all three of their games so far. Goals either side of the half-time break from Vanessa Surgeoner and Claire McMahon put them in charge of yesterday’s meeting with Hermes, the points sealed when Sharon Moffett saved a penalty stroke and Suzanne Beaney made it 3-0. Kerry McComish denied the hosts a bonus point, however, when she converted a short corner.

With Railway and Armagh drawing away to Ballymoney and Cork Harlequins, respectively, UCD’s 3-0 win over Ards, Rachel Burke scoring twice, lifted them a point clear.