HOCKEY: From the looks of the opening week's results, it appears as though no team is gifted with enough artillery to make this season a runaway event.

That may change when Glenanne and Pembroke Wanderers welcome back their international players after next week but so far it has been difficult to pick an obvious front runner with all of the usual sides performing as expected.

Avoca, now with two defeats from their opening matches, should take heart from the margins if not the scorelines.

Having spent a couple of years down in the second division, it will take some time to adjust, a 1-0 defeat at Newpark this weekend courtesy of Fingal now pushing them into the third week of the league without any points on the table.

At Grange Road Pembroke should feel pleased with taking both points against Three Rock Rovers despite chasing the game 2-1 at half-time.

Pembroke relied on their summer recruit Craig Fulton to knock in two goals with Alan Giles and Alan Southern completing the scoring in the 4-3 win.

Fulton's influence is not just on the pitch. A South African international and twice Olympian, Fulton has been taken on by Pembroke as player-coach.

Again, at this stage of the season it is difficult to ascertain just what an effect the different cultural input will have on the Serpentine Avenue club but, given that Fulton is a top-class player and has previously been voted best coach in South Africa, the likelihood is that Pembroke have made a wise investment.

At Whitechurch Park home side Corinthians took an early lead against YMCA but the visitors came storming back to win the match 3-1.