WOMEN'S HOCKEY:HOLDERS PEGASUS and second division Ulster Elks advanced to the quarter-finals of the ESB Irish Senior Cup on Saturday, but the six remaining second-round ties must be rescheduled after they fell victim to the freezing conditions.
A hat-trick from New Zealand international Frances Kreft, like her French team-mate Philippine Berly a sports scholar at the University of Ulster, helped the Elks to a 5-2 win over Premier League opponents Lisnagarvey.
On course for promotion from Section One, the Elks are on their second fine cup run of the season following their Ulster Shield form that took them to the final of the competition in December, where they lost to Pegasus.
They could yet meet the Ulster champions again after they reached the last eight with their second win over Randalstown in eight days. Arlene Boyles, Fiona McIlwaine and Hannah Clarke got the Pegasus goals in a 3-1 victory.
IRISH SENIOR CUP - Second round:Ulster Elks 5 (F Kreft 3, E Clarke, L Wright) Lisnagarvey 2 (L Wilson, N Jess); Randalstown 1 (R Dallas) Pegasus 3 (A Boyles, F McIlwaine, H Clarke); Loreto v UCD, Railway Union v Old Alexandra, Corinthian v Glenanne, Lurgan v Armagh, Ballymoney v Church of Ireland, Pembroke Wanderers v Belfast Harlequins, all postponed.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One:Bray v Trinity, postponed.
MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Cork Harlequins 5 (K Bateman 2, H Chapple, J Chapple, C Sargent) Ashton 1 (O O'Donovan).
MEN'S HOCKEY: Pembroke in full command
THE MEETING of Church of Ireland and Pembroke Wanderers at Garryduff was the only Irish Senior Cup fixture to survive the weather, with six second-round ties postponed, as well as the first-round game between Raphoe and Banbridge.
Goals from Maurice Elliott and Alan Giles, in the 27th and 52nd minutes, gave Pembroke a deserved 2-1 win over C of I, for whom Jonny Bruton scored a last-minute consolation. C of I's failure to earn a single short corner in the game, to Pembroke's six, was an indication of the cup holders' grip on the tie, with Ronan Gormley and Paddy Conlon particularly effective in midfield.
Maurice Elliott opened the scoring by forcing home Gordon Elliott's pass late in the first half, with Giles doubling Pembroke's lead when he was first to the rebound after Conor Harte's corner strike had been saved.
Bruton's late goal was spectacular, a reverse shot from the top of the circle, but came too late.
IRISH SENIOR CUP -First round: Raphoe v Banbridge, postponed. Second round: Church of Ireland 1 (J Bruton) Pembroke Wanderers 2 (M Elliott, A Giles). Corinthian v Railway Union, Bangor v Three Rock Rovers, North Down v Glenanne, Fingal v Cookstown, Lisnagarvey v Annadale, Mossley v NICS, postponed.
