In the battle between the top and bottom halves of the men's EY Hockey League, Corinthian were the side to buck the form guide as they won a dramatic 4-3 win over UCD at Belfield.
Ian Stewart was the match winner with the only goal in the final quarter after UCD had bounced back from a 2-0 deficit to lead 3-2. Peter Caruth nabbed an equaliser before Stewart’s fourth goal in the week carried the day.
It has them in sixth place on their own now, five points off the trio of UCD, Banbridge and Glenanne after a day of 36 goals across five games with all the away sides winning.
Lisnagarvey remain top of the table after they survived an almighty scare from ninth placed YMCA. The Y led 2-0 after just 13 minutes before an Andy Williamson’s double and a 43rd minute winner from Mark McNellis earned them a 3-2 success.
It means they remain five points clear of Monkstown who were comfortable 6-0 winners over bottom placed Annadale. Town are second on 20 points, five back from Garvey but four ahead of the next block.
Banbridge produced a remarkable first half performance to lead 6-2 against Glenanne en route to a 7-4 success at St Andrew’s.
The Glens led 1-0 and 2-1 before Bann betted the next six goals with Jamie Wright netting twice as Owen Magee hit top gear in the creation process.
Three Rock Rovers, meanwhile, made it 10 points from their last 12 with a 5-2 success at Serpentine Avenue.
Two first half penalty corners from Ben Walker set them on their way as they led 4-0 going into the final quarter before Pembroke fought back with two goals in the closing stages. Pembroke sit in seventh ahead of Glenanne on goal difference.
Four games are on the agenda next weekend with Pembroke hosting Lisnagarvey, YMCA facing Glenanne and Annadale against Corinthian on Saturday while Banbridge meet Monkstown on Sunday.
UCD’s date with Three Rock Rovers is pushed back to February 23 with the latter in European indoor action next weekend.
