Hermes put five past Pembroke

Hermes remain in front but it’s the severely-congested mid-table that’s garnering the most interest in the women’s EY Hockey League.

The Dubliners kept their seven-point lead intact by dismantling Pembroke 5-1, while Railway Union ended the recent resurgence of Pegasus with a Nina Heristerkamp goal moving them up to second after Ulster Elks’ clash with Greenfields and UCD’s visit to UCC fell victim to Storm Desmond.

Cork Harlequins superb 2-0 win at Ards ends a tough run of away games in style, a Rachel Hobbs counter-attack and Olivia Roycroft’s fifth of the campaign moving them joint fourth with Pembroke. They have three games in Cork next, which could be vital with just six points separating as many teams.