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Irish Hockey

Pegasus will be playing in the top flight of European competition next season while Lisnagarvey also gained promotion - to the 'B' Division - after yesterday's action in Dublin and Croatia.

Both Hermes and Instonians had to win their play off matches to do their rivals a favour and that's what they did.

The Leinster side beat Royal Leopold of Belgium 4-0 at Grange Road but Inst had to work harder for their 2-1 victory over Italian side Amsicora Alisarda in Zagreb.

The Old Boys had been ravaged by injury and unavailabity so they defied the odds to defeat the experienced European campaigners.

Inst took the lead after 20 minutes when Mark Wainwright's initial penalty corner effort was saved by the keeper only for Chris Kirk to slot home the rebound. But Amsicora hit back to equalise before the break through Naveed Asim who scored from another set piece in the 30th minute.

Wainwright was involved in the winning goal as well, setting up Mark Irwin in the 42nd minute. The Italians fought hard to get the equaliser but Inst held firm helped by some good goalkeeping from Nigel Skillen.

Thye, too, will be playing in Europe next season as Irish representatives in the Cup Winners Cup as runners up to Garvey in the domestic showpiece - yesterday it was payback time.

Meanwhile Reading, without a domestic trophy this season, had to settle for a silver medal at the European Club Championships after losing 1-0 to hosts Amsterdam in today's final.

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