WOMEN'S HOCKEY/Preview: It might be only January, but such is the ease with which Pegasus have sailed through the Ulster League season, with eight wins and a draw from their nine games, victory tomorrow over Ballymoney would make it virtually impossible for their rivals to dethrone them come the season's end.
Last weekend's 7-2 defeat of Portadown, who finished runners-up in the league last season, simply underlined the gulf between the Belfast club and the rest, a depressing enough reality for hockey in the province. And a situation that does little to help Pegasus either as they prepare for European competition.
Only Ballymoney, currently third in the table but with two games in hand on second-placed Ards (themselves two points adrift of Pegasus, having played three games more), have threatened to make a contest of Section One by drawing with the champions in their first league meeting of the season.
They need to at least match that result tomorrow, rising to the occasion in much the same manner as they did in the Irish Senior Cup final when they beat Pegasus on penalty strokes after a draw.
Fourth-placed Belfast Harlequins will hope to maintain their push for a top three finish, and a place in the All Ireland quarter-finals, by beating Victorians at Deramore Park.
Fortunately, the title race in Leinster is a more competitive one, with second-placed Pembroke Wanderers just two points short of Hermes' leading total. Pembroke meet UCD tomorrow in what is a crucial game for both clubs in their quest for an All Ireland spot.
UCD have lost only two league games this season, one of them to Pembroke back in November when they went down 3-0. If they are to keep the top three in their sights they will need to avoid a repeat of that result at Serpentine Avenue.
Hermes are away to Trinity tomorrow, while Loreto, who have averaged four goals a game in the league, are home to Genesis. A win over Glenanne at Tallaght could see Old Alexandra's All Ireland hopes rekindled should any of the teams above them slip up, while two of the bottom four, Railway Union and Corinthian, meet at Park Avenue.
Meanwhile, the Irish Hockey Association (IHA) is inviting anyone with a contribution to make to attend its series of "strategic planning meetings" around the country in the coming weeks.
The meetings, which the IHA hopes will "help shape the future of Irish hockey", will form part of the basis for the association's "Strategic Plan 2003-2006", which will be devised by an eight-strong group, made up of Ronnie Smyth, Steven Hiles, Joan McCloy, Josephine Mitchell, Richard Willis, Herbie Sharman, Jantien Findlater and Mary Logue. The Dublin meeting takes place tonight at Pembroke Wanderers. Contact Jantien Findlater at 01-2955554 for details.
LEINSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Trinity v Hermes, Santry, 12.0; Pembroke Wanderers v UCD, Serpentine Avenue, 12.30; Railway Union v Corinthian, Sandymount, 1.0; Loreto v Genesis, Beaufort, 2.0; Glenanne v Old Alexandra, Tallaght, 2.30. Division Two: Aer Lingus v Clontarf, ALSAA, 11.45; Three Rock v Muckross, Grange Road, 1.0; Old Alexandra II v Avoca, Milltown, 1 .15; Our Lady's v Hermes II, Templeogue, 3.0; Pembroke Wanderers II v Loreto II, Ballsbridge, 3.30.
MUNSTER LEAGUE - Division One: Harlequins v Waterford, Farmers Cross, 11.30; Bandon v Church of Ireland, Bandon, 1.30.
ULSTER LEAGUE - Section One: Pegasus v Ballymoney, Queen's, 2.30; Belfast Harlequins v Victorians, Deramore Park, 2.30; Portadown v North Down, Edenvilla, 2.30; Ards v Knock, Ards Leisure Centre, 2.30; Randalstown v Ballymena, Antrim Forum, 2.30.
