Hockey: Dale brothers put Harlequins clear at the top of table
Nikki Barry looks to close down an Olivia Roycroft pass during the Harlequins v Bandon game on Saturday.
A hat-trick from Julian Dale and a brace from his brother Andrew sent Harlequins eight points clear at the top of Munster Division 1 as they recorded a 5–1 victory over Bandon.
After a tightly contested opening half, Harlequins’ cutting edge from penalty corners proved decisive, pulling them clear and leaving Bandon rooted in third place as they continue to blood young talent this season.
In the day’s other men’s fixture, Midleton slipped to another defeat, losing 3–1 to a resurgent Waterford side.
In the Women’s Division 1, leaders UCC maintained their strong form with a 4–1 win away to Catholic Institute B. Sarah Murphy continued her impressive run with a brace, while Micaela Sanderson and Nicole Clarke added further goals.
Harlequins kept in touch at the top with a comprehensive 5–1 victory over Bandon.
Freya Bateman opened the scoring from a penalty corner after just five minutes, before Michelle Barry and Sofie Moloney extended the lead.
Moloney struck again for her second of the afternoon, with Rebecca O’Connell completing the scoring.
Third-placed Crescent were held to a 1–1 draw by Ashton. After early pressure, Crescent broke the deadlock shortly before half-time through Sophia Meaney.
Ashton responded strongly in the third quarter and levelled the match when Amy Noonan finished a well-worked penalty-corner routine.
Crescent pressed for a late winner but were repeatedly denied by the returning Isabel Janssen Cahil in the Ashton goal.
: Harlequins 5, Bandon 1; Waterford 3, Midleton 1.
: Ashton 1, Crescent 1; Harlequins 5, Bandon 1; Waterford 1, C of I 0; Catholic Institute B 1, UCC 4.
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