Men's EY Hockey League: Annadale battle to relegate UCD

Annadale made a big leap toward EY Hockey League safety as UCD's fate was formally sealed on Saturday afternoon in the wake of a wild 5-3 scoreline.

The Ulster side recovered from a perilous position against the student side as part of a dramatic late swing in fortunes that could have seen Dale in the relegation zone had they not turned things around and rivals Pembroke held on to win against Three Rock Rovers.

But late twists in each tie meant Dale are four points clear of the drop zone with three rounds to go with Pembroke remaining in the bottom two.

Spencer Pinion had put Dale in front but a Kevin O’Dea penalty stroke in the first quarter and a quickfire pair from Sam Byrne and captain Ewan Ramsay saw the students race into a 3-1 lead.

It awoke the Ulster side from their slumber and they produced a remarkable 10-minute spell in which David Tremlett got them back in the game and then Robbie Davidson and Michael Robson within a minute of each other for a 4-3 advantage.

Tremlett added another in the final minute to seal the deal and a vital three points.

In Dublin, Alan Sothern and Julian Dale penalty corner goals put Pembroke 2-1 up against second placed Three Rock Rovers.

But Rovers finished strong for a second successive week, Ryan Spencer equalising with nine minutes to go before Ben Johnson’s low bullet won the game.

That keeps them in the title hunt, two points off leaders Lisnagarvey who seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time,

Matthew Nelson’s deflection put them in front in the first quarter against YMCA when he finished off after great play from Jonny Lynch. It stayed like that for a long time before Garvey cut loose with Daniel Nelson, Ollie Kidd and Lynch all netting in quick succession to run up a 4-0