Italians never in danger

THE Italian women's hockey team had a comfortable victory over a Leinster President's XI at Belfield yesterday, giving them the second successive win of their four match tour of Ireland.

The visitors, who beat an Ulster President's XI by the same scoreline in Belfast on Tuesday, put the Leinster defence under severe pressure from the start, with goalkeeper Sarah Hilliard forced into making a series of fine saves from the impressive Sonia Scalia and Francesca Faustini.

The first goal came in the 14th minute when Tatiana Nicoletti collected a pass from midfield and placed it past Hilliard. Fifteen minutes later an unmarked Anna Tagliasacchi added a second.

By half time the weather conditions had deteriorated and the Italians, playing into the wind and rain, were unable to maintain the pace of their first half display. However they managed to add a third goal six minutes after the restart when Scalia's clever stick work in the circle set up an easy chance for Silvana Ughetto.

Teresa Hurley worked hard for the home team while Aoife Pomeroy and Ciara McGrath produced some fine runs.