Cookstown continued their strong start to the EYHL2 when they beat Cork Church of Ireland 4-3 on Saturday afternoon.
The win keeps the Ulster side second in the group with just three games remaining before the knockout rounds.
Ryan Millar gave the Ulster side an early lead when he made it 1-0 with just three minutes on the clock but Rob Olden ensured his side went into the break with the scores level as he equalised in the 15th minute.
Scott McCabe restored the Cookstown advantage with 26 minutes played but again C of I drew level when Ian Balding converted a penalty corner on the brink of half time.
Having continued to threaten, Cookstown’s Greg Allen made it 3-2 when he converted a penalty corner of his own before Paul Watt continued his fine form to make it 4-2 with an hour played.
A late penalty corner from Johnathan Baldwin saw the gap reduced to one goal but it came too late for the hosts as their Ulster opposition went home with the points.
In Pool A Queen’s University secured a shock win as they beat Pembroke Wanderers 4-2 in Dublin.
The students took the lead with just eight minutes on the clock when Conor Irwin struck from a penalty corner but the lead wouldn’t last as Jack Flanagan equalised before the end of the first quarter.
Harry Scott restored the QUB lead in the 28th minute when he struck from another short corner for the visitors but again the lead didn’t last as Cian Murphy levelled the scoring once more at the end of the third period.
Scott then made it 3-2 just a minute later as his side led for the third time in the game with Irwin then getting his second in the 63rd minute to make it 4-2 and seal all three points for Queen’s University.
In the two other games involving Ulster sides South Antrim lost 4-1 to Cork Harlequins whilst Bangor were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Bandon.
In the Men’s Premier League, Belfast Harlequins sealed third spot as they beat Raphoe 5-2.
The win brings their league campaign to a close as they overtake South Antrim with the victory.
Having twice trailed, the side came from behind to win with goals from James Hutchinson (2), Cameron Ruttle and Michael Patterson.
The game also marks the end of the Premier League season for Raphoe who finish bottom of the table.
Elsewhere in the division second placed Kilkeel claimed a narrow victory away to North Down.
Four goals from Ashton Graham, Mark Henning, Jonny Aiken and David Finlay secured the victory over the side they meet in next month’s Irish Hockey Trophy Final.
PHOTO: FRONT ROW UNION
