With champions Lisnagarvey taking a rest following their 2-0 victory over Annadale in the Kirk Cup final, Instonians stretched their lead at the top of Ulster Senior League hockey table with a 5-1 win at Newry on Saturday.

Instonians - also aiming for the Irish indoor laurels in Dublin next weekend - have now won their first nine league matches. Pembroke Wanderers kept in shape for next Saturday's testing Leinster Senior League assignment against Three Rock Rovers by beating Monkstown 3-2 in the annual Maunsell Cup game at Rathdown School yesterday.

Fielding Peter Young after a lengthy absence through injury and also including London-based Jamie McBride in the squad, Pembroke led 2-0 at the interval through Paudie Carley (penalty stroke), after Simon Kershaw had been obstructed, and a finishing touch by Stephen Stewart. Monkstown, with Tim Dunwoody back on first-team duty, rallied for Justin Sherriff to score twice before Stewart struck the winner for the visitors.

Before the start, a minute's silence was observed in memory of Trina Henderson of Dalkey.