Annadale made a giant leap towards EY Hockey League security as UCD’s destiny was formally sealed on Saturday afternoon within the wake of a wild 5-3 scoreline.
The Ulster facet recovered from a dangerous place in opposition to the coed facet as a part of a dramatic late swing in fortunes that would have seen Dale within the relegation zone had they not turned issues round and rivals Pembroke held on to win in opposition to Three Rock Rovers.
However late twists in every tie meant Dale are 4 factors away from the drop zone with three rounds to go together with Pembroke remaining within the backside two.
Spencer Pinion had put Dale in entrance however a Kevin O’Dea penalty stroke within the first quarter and a quickfire pair from Sam Byrne and captain Ewan Ramsay noticed the scholars race right into a 3-1 lead.
It awoke the Ulster facet from their slumber and so they produced a outstanding 10-minute spell during which David Tremlett received them again within the recreation after which Robbie Davidson and Michael Robson inside a minute of one another for a 4-3 benefit.
Tremlett added one other within the ultimate minute to seal the deal and an important three factors.
In Dublin, Alan Sothern and Julian Dale penalty nook objectives put Pembroke 2-1 up in opposition to second positioned Three Rock Rovers.
However Rovers completed robust for a second successive week, Ryan Spencer equalising with 9 minutes to go earlier than Ben Johnson’s low bullet received the sport.
That retains them within the title hunt, two factors off leaders Lisnagarvey who appear to be hitting their stride at simply the best time,
Matthew Nelson’s deflection put them in entrance within the first quarter when he completed off nice from Jonny Lynch. It stayed that for a very long time earlier than Garvey reduce unfastened with Daniel Nelson, Ollie Kidd and Lynch all netting in fast succession to run up a 4-0 lead earlier than Grant Glutz received a comfort for YM.
Monkstown produced a robust late present to beat Glenanne 2-1, Mark Gibbons and Jeremy Duncan scoring within the final quarter to nick a fifth successive victory. It places City in third place with the Glens dropping all the way down to fifth.
Banbridge moved up a spot into fourth place because of their 2-1 victory over Corinthian. Luke Witherow and Jonny McKee received their objectives with Max Neill getting the reds’ single response, all coming within the first half.
In EY Division Two, Railway Union moved to the highest of Group One with a 1-0 win over Instonians with Mark English getting the one aim at a drenched Park Avenue.
Inst drop into third place with Cork C of I going second courtesy of a giant 4-0 victory over Rathgar.
Clontarf leapt into first place in Pool 2, beating a Covid weakened Cork Harlequins 6-1.
In Pool 3, Cookstown went prime with a 4-1 away win over Mossley, mixed with a shock 2-0 loss for earlier leaders Bandon to Portrane.
EYHL Division 1: Annadale 5 (D Tremlett 2, R Davidson, M Robson, S Pinion) UCD 3 (Ok O’Dea, S Byrne, E Ramsay); Banbridge 2 (L Witherow, J McKee) Corinthian 1 (M Neill); Glenanne 1 (S Boucher) Monkstown 2 (M Gibbons, J Duncan); Lisnagarvey 4 (O Kidd, M Nelson, D Nelson, J Lynch) YMCA 1 (G Glutz); Pembroke 2 (A Sothern, J Dale) Three Rock Rovers 3 (J Walker, R Spencer, B Johnson)
EYHL Division 2
Pool 1: Cork C of I 4 (J Bruton 2, S Wolfe, M Gallagher) Rathgar 0; Railway Union 1 (M English) Instonians 0
Pool 2: Clontarf 6 (D Keuter 2, A O’Malley 2, S Grace, D Vincent) Cork Harlequins 1 (A Dale)
