Pembroke and Old Alex are the new leaders of the women's EY Hockey League after the former defeated previous pace-setters Pegasus on a thrilling day of action.
It was a series of four matches brought forward from December due to Ireland’s late entry into the women’s Junior World Cup and provided plenty of thrills.
Pembroke’s 2-1 success showcased why they are serious contenders for the title having never previously reached the EYHL top four playoffs.
The first goal was a thing of beauty, Ellen Curran getting on the end of a pitch-length attack before Aisling Naughton cracked in number two. Kerri Magee pulled one back but Pegasus could not change the direction of the points.
Old Alex overcame a first minute concession to beat Belfast Harlequins 5-1 with goals from Sarah Robinson, Nikki Evans, Abbie Russell, Mikayla Power and Deirdre Duke.
It lifts the two Dublin clubs to 16 points from seven games with Pegasus on 14 where they have been joined by Catholic Institute who produced an outstanding comeback to beat UCD 3-2.
Rachel Kelly and Michelle Carey had seemingly put UCD in a powerful position at 2-0 but Róisín Upton scored three times between the 47th and 59th minute to swing the game the Limerick side’s way.
Railway Union and Loreto, meanwhile, drew for the third time this season with first quarter goals from Orla Patton and Christina Hamill making it 1-1.
The result sees both lose touch with the top four but with chances to get back on the winning trail next week when they face sides in the lower reaches of the table.
