UCD’s league defences were breached for the first time this season but their perfect record remains after four rounds of matches.

They just shaded it but a strong Pembroke finish threatened to take a late point. Watkins was the first on the mark, finishing off an excellent team move starting with leah Lenihan as they countered down the right wing, working the ball to the Irish international and she finished with a controlled flick into the bottom left hand corner.

Pembroke had enjoyed the better of the early part of the second half but were knocked on their heals when a beautifully worked corner move was slaped by Laura Wilson and completed by Rachel Burke, sliding to deflect a reverse effort into the top corner.

Pembroke started to come back at UCD in the last 15 minutes and Sarah Clarke pulled one back with ten minutes to go, clattering the top of the backboard with a corner smash but they were unable to get back on terms as UCD held possession in the closing minutes to wind down the clock. Kelly Scott pulled off a couple of good saves on the day while UCD captain Megan Tennant Humphreys was, as usual, a commanding presence at the back

But it is the students who remain at the top of the table on goal difference ahead of Loreto.