Laura Wilson’s swept UCD to the top of the women’s division one as her first half corner strike was the deserved reward for the students who coped the better without their international stars at Belfield.

UCD 1 (Laura Wilson) Old Alex 0

With the CPP beginning in earnest last Sunday, UCD’s Chloe Watkins and Niamh Atcheler and Alex’s Pamela Smithwick and Shirley McCay were all spectators as midweek club games fall outside the remit of the intensive programme.

In their absence, once Brenda Flannery moved into midfield and dovetailed with the feisty Caitriona McGilp had the hosts running the centre of the park. Early on, Alex had slightly the better of the first 20 minutes but failed to test Stella Davis bar a couple of nervy moments as a result of crash balls.

But college finished the first period stronger and scored from their second corner. In the absence of Watkins at the top, the option saw Wilson – a regular option last term – sweep goalward and a deflection took the ball over the low-lying Barbara Luke.

The stand-in goalkeeper impressed in the second half as UCD continued to boss the affair. 1-0 is always a nervy lead, though, and a couple of late Nicola Gray corner strikes threatened to nick a draw but Johnny Harte’s side recorded a third straight clean sheet to head the table on goal-difference, leading into Intervarsities in fine fettle.