Cardinals regained the overall lead of the Bermuda Ladies Hockey Association A league with a 4-0 whitewash over Longtails on Saturday.

With 10 points from seven league matches they'll hold on to that lofty perch until the Christmas break ends, a slim one-point margin over Canaries, 1-0 victors at the weekend over Orioles.

League-leading Cardinals (four wins, two draws, one loss) completely overwhelmed the Longtails, who plunged to third place on eight points with a record of 1-6-1.

Cardinals moved the ball smartly gaining a series of penalty corners. After a disallowed goal which was ruled offside in the 18th minute, Cardinals finally struck three minutes later when Maria Pichery opened the scoring on a penalty corner.

Longtails' defence was clearly exhausted by half-time, victims of relentless pressure by Cardinals.

Kris Soares of Cardinals successfully converted a penalty stroke in the 10th minute of the second half followed by another goal from Pichery and Tracy McPhee moments before the final whistle.

Canaries defeated Orioles in a game marred by penalties.

Canaries dominated the opening 10 minutes with Rhonda Rawlins -- who shares the league lead in scoring along with Joanne Wilson with six goals -- eventually scoring at the 20 minute mark.

Orioles were denied when Sam Millers stopped the ball on the Canaries' goal line six minutes into the half.

Canaries were later foiled on a penalty stroke when Rawlins couldn't put the ball past O's 'keeper Fiona Doe.

In B league action, Cardinals and Swifts battled to a tense 0-0 draw in a match where both sides had their chances but where defenders ruled the day.

The closest any side came to scoring was in the first half when Cardinals were awarded a penalty shot which was wide of the net, where the normally reliable Eva Dillas was unsuccessful.

Goalkeepers Amie Dillas of Swifts and Gail Thorne of Cardinals were truly spectacular.

Bluebirds, meanwhile, took full advantage of a poorly-organised Orioles' defence to put the game out of reach almost immediately and notch a 4-1 triumph.

After 12 minutes Sarah Smith's cross from a penalty corner was deflected into the O's net by defender Pat Harvey's stick. Two minutes later Ailsa Campbell of Bluebirds took a rebound off the goalkeeper's pad and scored.

Bluebirds took a 3-0 lead before the half when Linda Russell pushed the ball over the line during a goal mouth melee.

Orioles decision to put Nikki Evans at midfield to start the second half seemed to revive the team's spirits.