Friday, December 12, 2008

Women's IHL: Round Two refixes

Loreto v Pegasus, 3pm, Loreto Beaufort (Catriona Hassey, Gail Taylor)

Billed as one of the ties last time out, this fixture now has added zest after Railway's bonus point win over Randalstown in the race for Pool A qualification. A win for either side will see them top the group with the Park Avenue side in second while a draw sees Loreto move to six points with Pegs and Railway on five.

Star quality is in abundance as Loreto's pacy Niamh Small, Nikki Keegan and Nikki Symmons combined with the wily Cathy McKean and Zara Delany will test the Pegasus back three of Nadine Brown and former internationals Arlene Boyles and Jill Orbinson.

Belfast girl Lizzie Colvin has made an impressive start to her Loreto career at the heart of midfield while Pegasus' forward efforts have amassed 39 league goals in seven games so far. Claire McMahon leads the line, aided by Suzanne Beaney and Alex Speers.

UCD v Ballymoney, 3pm, Belfield (Gerry Kotze, J.P. Whyte)A heavy loss for either side could well end hopes of progression. Lyndsey McVicker remains one of the one to watch despite missing Ballymoney's first IHL due to her honeymoon and she will hope to take advantage of UCD's mini-slump in recent weeks. The students started the season brightly but dropped five points in two games to Alex and Trinity.

They bounced back against Glenanne last week and are currently slotted in third place in Leinster. Indeed, UCD are very tough to break down with just six conceded in nine outings. Ballymoney are less consistent with three wins and three losses and lie well off the pace in their domestic league.

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