Trinity, the Chilean Cup holders, and UCC (despite a defeat by the Dublin students) looked a class apart on the opening day of the inter-varsities women's hockey championships in Belfast yesterday. Trinity, who overwhelmed RCSI 9-0, had only a goal to spare in their defeat of the Cork side who significantly beat the University of Ulster, 2-0. The UCC men's team opened their account in the Mauritius Cup with victories over DCU and, notably, UCD and could well pose a potent threat to a strong University of Ulster line-up captained by senior international Mark Irwin. Host team Queen's look favourites to progress from Pool B to the knock-out stages, though they will probably be joined by Trinity in the semi-finals.

Chilean Cup (women) Pool A: UU 1 (J Barr), UCD 1 (S Ryan); Trinity 1 (S O'Connor) UCC 0; UCD 12 (R Pritchard 4, L Furney 3, J Delaney 2, E O'Brien 2, C Frame) RCSI 0; UCC 2 (E O'Brien, J O'Brien) UU 0; Trinity 9 (S O'Connor 3, A Bowers 2, L O'Hagan 2, T O'Dowd, S Rand) RCSI 0. Pool B: Queen's 0, UCG 0; DCU 0, Limerick 0; Queen's 4 (R Brennan, L Allen, S Edgar 2), DCU 0.

Mauritius Cup (men) Pool A: UU 4 (P Barrett, J McDermott, C Kennedy 2) UCD 1 (M Millar); UCC 1 (S Cody) DCU 0; UCC 3 (S Cody, I Martin, T Peare) UCD 1 (M Kingston).

Pool B: Queen's 1 (J Aiken) Trinity 0; Limerick 4 (H Goertz, T Parsons, D Corbett, N Atkinson) RCSI 0; Queen's 4 (J Aiken, C Callender, D Patterson, J Cash) RCSI 0.

Avoca are to go ahead with their plans for the provision of an astroturf pitch at Newpark School. With no loan available from the Leinster Branch at present (this year's grant went to Suttonians), the Blackrock club are to step up their fund-raising activities, so that the £400,000 surface can be laid as soon as is practicable. This will be a much needed boost for both the club and school, even though both have been highly successful on the field of play in recent seasons, not least in winning the Irish Senior and Junior Cups and the All-Ireland Schools Championship.

Meanwhile, local rivals Monkstown are due to announce a £4,000 sponsorship deal with Fujitsu Micro Electronics this weekend, to assist primarily in their drive to provide top-class coaching for young players.