HOCKEY:SO MUCH for Loreto's hopes of going top of the Leinster first division at the weekend, both the club's scheduled games – against Corinthian on Saturday and Old Alexandra yesterday – were postponed due to frozen pitches .

Hermes took advantage to extend their lead at the top of the table to four points – although Loreto now have two games in hand – beating Pembroke Wanderers 3-0 at Serpentine Avenue on Saturday, the game switched from Booterstown.

All the goals came in the second half, the first a penalty stroke converted by Lisa Jacob, before Deirdre Duke and Áine Connery sealed the points with further scores.

UCD needed a late winner against Bray from Caitríona McGilp to move level on points with Loreto, while Alexandra stayed fourth with a 3-1 defeat of Glenanne.

Two of Railway Union’s internationals, Jean McDonnell and Emma Smyth, scored three goals between them in the champions’ 5-0 win over Trinity, a result that keeps alive their hopes of retaining their title. They remain, though, five points adrift of Hermes, but still have a game in hand.