With the exception of Pegasus, 2-0 winners at Ulster rivals Ballymoney, there was no joy for the other five away teams in the opening round of the Irish Hockey League on Saturday. Holders UCD were among the home victors, while last season's beaten finalists Railway Union suffered a 3-0 defeat at Hermes.

Since its inaugural season in 2009, Railway have won the competition three times, but are now rebuilding. Hermes are also rebuilding, Sinead McCarthy and Lisa Jacob among their most significant departures since last season, but their blend of youth and experience proved too strong for Railway on Saturday.

Catriona McGilp had them a goal up after just three minutes, new recruit Sinead Loughran doubling the lead before the end of the first quarter, before Irish international Audrey O’Flynn buried one of her short-corner bullets on the stroke of full time.

In the same pool first half goals from Katie McConnell and Rhianna Campbell gave Pegasus the points against Ballymoney. Lurgan were the top scorers of the day, Jo Wilson and Julie Morrow scoring two piece in their 6-2 win over UCC.

In pool B, UCD had a decidedly trickier time of it against Ards compared to their 4-1 win over the same opposition in the Irish Senior Cup the weekend before. But, despite a Chloe Brown double, managed to take the points with a 3-2 win.

Loreto recovered from going a goal down to Connacht champions Greenfields to give the Dublin side a 5-2 win.

Also in pool B, Ulster Elks suffered the pain of a last-minute defeat by Cork Harlequins. Karen Bateman had given the Munster champions the lead, Irish captain Megan Frazer equalising, before Emily O’Leary’s goal decided the game