THE cream always rises to the top, they say - well it definitely did in the semi-finals of the Sharwoods-sponsored Irish Senior Hockey Cup on Saturday. Leinster's and Ulster's top teams, Muckross and Pegasus, progressed to the final, meaning that it is a repeat of last year's decider.

Muckross had the more convincing win, beating North Down 3-0 at Glenageary. Apart from an attack in the first five minutes which Sandra O'Gorman was, taxed to save, the Ulster girls never threatened to challenge the Dublin side seriously. The pressure Muckross put them under meant that North Down were defending constantly.

Muckross took the lead in the 17th minute. Sarah Kelleher, who had an exceptional day, scored after the fourth short corner broke down. The second goal was set up by Mary Logue and put away by captain Theresa Hurley early in the second hall, while Trish McHugh got the third goal 10 minutes from the end.

North Down's performance was admirable under the circumstances. They had two 15-year-olds, two 16-year-olds and two 17-year-olds in their squad, and given the fact that they were playing against a side with seven current or former internationals, they had much to be proud of.

Pegasus's victory over Hermes at Belfield was not secure until the final whistle. The home team fought for the full 70 minutes and threatened to draw level in the final stages.

Claire Samways scored the only goal of the game from a short corner which was awarded for a deliberate foul in the 25-yard area just before half-time. Joanne Campbell stopped the ball dead on the circle line, letting Samways smash it to its target.

Hermes put in their best performance of the year in front of great home support; what separated the two teams was ball control and skill.