Dublin, November 2: Several sides build on their strong performances last weekend to continue their journey upward in the table, with other sides faltering in their pursuit of the league title. In the Men’s EY Hockey League, Lisnagarvey secured top spot, now a point ahead of Three Rock Rovers following Three Rock’s bonus point draw against Banbridge. In the Women’s EYHL, Loreto made it seven games without a loss, increasing the gap at the top further thanks to Pembroke’s win over Catholic Institute. UCD climbed out of last place thanks to their win over UCC.
Men’s EY Hockey League
In Rathdown, a Ben Nelson brace for Lisnagarvey bookended a Geoff Cole goal for Monkstown and left the visitors 2-1 ahead after 52 minutes. Andrew Williamson’s field goal three minutes from full-time secured the points for the league leaders.
Defending champions Banbridge and joint league leaders Three Rock Rovers played out a scintillating 3-3 draw in normal time. Luke Madeley’s opener was overturned by Banbridge thanks to Johnny McKee and Philip Brown. The visitors however drew level just four minutes later, eventually taking the lead through Ryan Spencer and looked to be on their way to a massive three points until Banbridge’s Jake Rowe scored in the final minute to take the game to a shootout. Visitors Three Rock had the last laugh, leaving Havelock Park with what could be a crucial bonus point.
YMCA had to fight back twice to eventually beat Avoca in Wesley College. Guy Sarratt added another set piece goal to his collection, but it was eventually cancelled out by YM’s Adam Walker. Avoca took the lead again late in the third quarter through Richard Couse, but a 63rd minute goal from Adam Walker and a penalty stroke on 70 minutes from Grant Glutz meant YMCA secured all three points.
Pembroke fought back from a goal down through Dechlan Bennett and Alan Sothern to lead UCD at home going into the final minutes of their matchup in Serpentine Avenue. UCD’s Tim Cope grabbed a late equaliser for the college side to force a shootout. UCD had to settle for just a single point, as Pembroke won out 3-2 to take the bonus point.
Annadale had to work to secure a 2-0 win over Annadale in St Columba’s College. The home side didn’t open the scoring until the 46th minute when Robbie Clarke latched on to a rebound to find the backboard. In an effort to find a way back into the game Annadale pulled their keeper in the final minutes. With just over a minute to play, the home side broke through Annadale’s press and played across goal where Max Neill tapped into an open net to secure the win.
Lisnagarvey secure top spot on 18pts, with Three Rock Rovers a point behind in second. YMCA leapfrog Banbridge to go third on 13pts, but Ban still have a game in hand. Corinthians climb to 5th place following their second win in a row, and Pembroke take 6th spot, a point and a place against Monkstown. At the bottom, UCD’s first league point takes them above Annadale in 10th. Avoca sit just above UCD in 8th on 3pts.
Women’s EY Hockey League
Loreto made no mistakes against Ards to maintain their unbeaten starts. The home side took an early lead through Nicola Torrans followed by a Yasmin Pratt brace gave them a commanding 3-0 lead. Naomi Grundie pulled a goal back for Ards, but Rachel Kelly cancelled it out in the final minute to close out the 4-1 win.
A single goal for both Railway Union and Old Alex saw them recover from disappointing results the previous week. For Railway Matilde Errico’s goal after 35 minutes saw Railway beat a Pegasus side that had yet to lose a game so far. Old Alex had Sharon Seaton to thank for their win over Ulster Elks. Her goal early in the second half was enough to see Old Alex grab a win and climb to second in the table.
Pembroke caused an upset with their home win over Catholic Institute. Charlotte Cope gave Pembroke the lead at Serpentine Avenue and despite Naomi Carroll’s equalising goal for Catholic Institute, Milla Fulton sealed Pembroke’s second win of the campaign with a goal from open play in the 49th minute to make it 2-1.
UCD grabbed their second win of the season as they beat UCC 4-2 in Belfield. The home side stormed to a three-goal lead through Leah O’Shea, Ali Griffin and Lauren Moore. UCC attempted to stage a fight back when Julia Mc Carthy converted a stroke, but the home side cancelled the goal out from a penalty corner, converted by Emma Paul. UCC ended on a high thanks to Robyn Murphy’s late consolation goal, but the three points stayed in Belfield.
Loreto extend their lead at the top to 7pts with a total of 20. Old Alex climb to second with 13pts, surpassing Catholic Institute on 12pts. Ulster Elks and Pegasus occupy the 4th and 5th spots, with 11pts apiece, as Railway Union and Pembroke begin their upward ascents on 9pts. UCC drop back to bottom in the table on 6pts, with Ards and UCD just ahead of them on 7pts each.