UNIVERSITY of Limerick climbed the first hurdle in defence of the Budweiser sponsored women's university championship at Belfield yesterday when they accounted for UCG as easily as the 4-0 scoreline indicates in their opening game.

Siobhain Stenson got the first goal after only four minutes and despite the fact that the winners were aided by a fresh breeze, that was the only score of the first half.

However Limerick got a greater grip on affairs in the second half with Elaine Harrington increasing the tally before Eilis Strappe and Stenson wrapped it up in the final ten minutes.

UCD entertain serious ambitions of regaining a trophy they won two years ago and when they put three past Maynooth in the opening halt, from Urusla Brooks, Katie Liston and Irish international Bernie O'Reilly, they served serious notice of their intentions. Despite dominating the second half they could only manage one more goal from Ruth Walsh, although, Liston spurned several opportunities.

Erin Costello got one back for Maynooth from a well struck free kick.

The meeting of UCD and Carlow RTC, who accounted for Maynooth through a brace of goals from Catherine Doyle, will decide who gets through to the semi final of the most competitive group.

Waterford RTC were the highest scorers of the day with Bobby Stack score a hat trick, against a luckless Trinity. Martina Kehoe opened the scoring in the first minute before Stack got her first six minutes later and her second goal gave Waterford a 4-0 halftime cushion after Eileen Linehan also got in on the act. Further goals by Stack, Linehan and Sonya Maher completed the rout.