Women's EY League round-up: Pembroke push clear

Pembroke ended the weekend extending their lead at the top of the women's EY Hockey League as they secured four points from the six on offer to them.

On Saturday, they drew 1-1 in a high quality contest with Old Alex with World Cup silver medalists Gillian Pinder and Nikki Evans exchanging goals. Evans was first to strike with another wonder goal, a near carbon-copy of her effort a week ago against Pegasus, just two minutes into this tie.

But Pinder profited from some great pressing to equalise in the second half, earning a second successive draw for the table-toppers.

That allowed Catholic Institute cut the gap overnight on Saturday to one point as the Limerick side came from a goal down to defeat Cork Harlequins 6-1, their fifth successive league win. Naomi Carroll grabbed a brace to overturn Leah O’Shea’s first quarter strike for Quins.

For Pembroke on Sunday, though, they restored some breathing room when they dug deep to beat Cork Harlequins 2-1. Beth-Anne O’Farrell had put Quins in line for a shock result with a 49th minute penalty corner goal but Pembroke rallied quickly with Pinder netting a penalty stroke and Aisling Naughton got the winner in the 53rd minute.

The weekend’s action saw a gap emerge between Institute in second - and automatic EY Champions Trophy qualification - and the chasing pack with Alex in third place and Pegasus dropping to fourth.

That is because of their heavy 4-0 home defeat at the hands of Loreto. All the goals came in the second half with Hannah Matthews, Siofra O’Brien, Grace Donald and Sarah Torrans scoring.

It keeps the Beaufort side in the frame for a play-off place along with UCD and Railway Union who also won well.

UCD were 3-1 victors at Belfast Harlequins while Railway saw off Muckross