league after weekend games signalled the end of round one at Nationals.

In the A Division, Canaries beat Cardinals 2-0 to stretch their unbeaten run to five games. They hold a two point lead over Orioles, Cardinals and Bluebirds who are tied on six points.

Lisa DeSilva opened the scoring for Canaries with a shot from the top of the circle, while Emma Garon scored the second goal with a first-time hit after a good pass from Michelle Ming.

Both teams continued to have plenty of goalscoring opportunities in the second half with Cardinals failing to capitalise on a penalty flick.

Orioles and Bluebirds shared the points in a 1-1 draw. Orioles opened the scoring early in the first half when Bluebirds' defence was caught off guard.

Susie Elton's hard cross from the left beat the goalkeeper, allowing Zina Jones to push the ball into the net.

Bluebirds responded but skillful play from Liz Schatz and the rest of the Orioles defence held them at bay until the second half when their pressure eventually paid off. Ailsa Campbell equalised with a crisp shot from the penalty spot after a pass from Ellen Charnley.

Swifts picked up their first win of the season when they edged Swallows 1-0 in an evenly-matched game between the two bottom teams. After a scoreless first half, Megan Spurling broke the deadlock with a fine goal from the top of the D from a short corner.

Canaries picked up their fifth straight win in the B Division, beating Cardinals 3-0 to extend their lead to four points.

After starting strongly, Cardinals became disorganised and Canaries quickly took advantage. Their first goal came from Ali Cameron who scored from a pass from team captain Lakiba Rempel.

After a scuffle in the D, Kerry Quigley calmly put the ball in the net for Canaries' second. Cameron then rounded out the score minutes before the half-time whistle following a one-on-one with the 'keeper.

Bluebirds beat Orioles 2-0 to move into second place ahead of Cardinals and Orioles. The first goal came from Ellen Charnley, a first time shot into the right-hand corner following a pass from Ingrid McKenna.

Charnley also added the second after a hard cross from Deanna Hunter from outside the D. Orioles' best chance came midway through the second half with a rising shot from Okina McGowan which was bound for the upper right corner before Carla Pedro got a hand to it and followed up with the clearance.

In the other B Division match, Swallows and Swifts drew 1-1. Swifts' attractive hockey was rewarded with a goal by Kim Frith in the 13th minute after some fine work in midfield by Cathie Hay, Erica Frith and Melissa Durrant.

But in a close second half, Swallows applied more pressure and the tying goal came when an unlucky Claire Dorrington of Swifts deflected a shot past her own goalkeeper Jenna Robinson.