Ards extended their unbeaten run in the Legacy Wealth Management Premier League to 13 games as they thrashed Armagh 8-2 on Saturday afternoon.
A Zara Malseed hat-trick was the pick of the action as the league leaders now move to within seven points of claiming the title.
Two early penalty corners from Ali Carson and Zara Malseed saw the hosts take a 2-0 lead with just six minutes on the clock before Malseed got her second of the afternoon to put the result beyond doubt at the end of the first quarter.
Another quickfire double from Carson and youngster Alana Thornton saw Ards extend their lead to 5-0 whilst Malseed completed her hat-trick to bring her tally for the season to a league high 14.
In the second half, Alyssa Boyd added a seventh for Ards as they scored their fourth penalty corner of the tie with 46 minutes played.
The final quarter saw a much-improved performance from Armagh, with two goals from Rhianna Gillespie and Lydia Thompson reducing the deficit to five, before Ali Carson became the second player to net a hat-trick when she scored in the final seconds of the game.
At Deramore Park, Lisnagarvey won 3-0 against Belfast Harlequins to move five points clear of their EYHL2 rivals.
After a goalless opening quarter, the deadlock was broken by Zara Hopkins midway through the second period with her first goal in the division.
Meanwhile, a quickfire double after half-time saw Jess Moore and Beth Ravey both convert from penalty corners to round off a comfortable win for the Hillsborough side.
The win sees the side remain second in the division, having now won each of their last three league outings.
Elsewhere, Lurgan continued their charge for EYHL2 qualification as they beat Omagh 5-0.
Sarah Sargent doubled her league tally for the season as she struck twice alongside goals from Steph Thompson, Jenny Morrow and Connie Williamson to wrap up a routine win for one of the leagues in form sides.
Having now won four of their last five outings, the side move to within just one point of Belfast Harlequins, whilst also having a game in hand, meanwhile Omagh remain at the foot of the table with just one point this season.
At The Glade, Larne earned an impressive point on the road as they drew 1-1 away to EYHL2 chasing Mossley.
Despite coming into the weekend eight points behind their opponents, it was the visitors who took the lead in the tie with just five minutes played.
Having won an early penalty corner, the side found the breakthrough with a Dawn Axon strike from the top of the circle, picking out the bottom left corner.
However, the side were unable to hold on to their lead as an Emma Downey strike from a Mossley corner saw the hosts draw level and rescue a point.
With the spoils shared, Larne have all but confirmed their status in the division for another season, whilst Mossley move to within four points of third, but with two games in hand.
The final game of the weekend saw Banbridge return to winning ways as they beat Ballymoney 3-2.
Banbridge top scorer Stef Ardis continued her form in front of goal, striking twice alongside a first goal of the season from Charley Brush.
Nikki Parke and Judith Laughlin both scored in the space of seven minutes for the hosts, but the side couldn’t find a decisive third goal as they were condemned to a second defeat in a row.
PHOTO: Front Row Union