WOMEN'S HOCKEY:UCD MADE it five league wins in a row on Saturday when they beat Corinthian 2-0 to stay three points clear at the top of the Leinster First Division.

Old Alexandra and Loreto, their closest challengers, stayed in touch with their own victories, while Hermes got back to winning ways after last week’s defeat to the students.

Two second-half goals from Caroline Hill sealed the points for UCD who have a perfect record since drawing their opening league game against Railway Union in September, beating defending champions Hermes and last season’s runners-up Loreto along the way.

The three teams below them, though, have a game in hand, Alexandra keeping the pressure up with a 1-0 win over Pembroke Wanderers. Emma Russell got the only goal in the second half, Alexandra’s clean sheet maintaining the division’s best defensive record – they haven’t conceded since Railway’s Emer Lucey scored against them in their first game of the season.

Loreto, meanwhile, moved up to third with a 3-0 victory away to Glenanne, Hermes winning by the same scoreline against Three Rock at Grange Road.

They have, though, a lot of work to do to retain their title, now six points adrift of UCD having played an extra game.