following a break because of the World Rugby Classic.

Cardinals and Canaries maintained their leads atop the A and B leagues respectively, with Cardinals defeating Bluebirds 3-1 in the weekend's most thrilling encounter.

Cardinals were first on the scoreboard when Tracy McPhee, on a breakaway, pushed the ball to the left corner of an open net.

Ailsa Campbell and Sarah Moltby always looked dangerous for Bluebirds, and an equaliser was not long in coming. A poor tackle on the 25 yard line gave Campbell an opportunity to play a quick ball into the circle where Ann Marie Ivanoff, who scored, was waiting for the pin-point pass.

Cardinals regained their lead when Laura Bardgett converted a cross from McPhee. Nine minutes later McPhee scored her second goal when the 'keeper's sight was blocked by a goalmouth crowd.

Campbell later missed a perfect opportunity from close range to put Bluebirds back in the game.

Also on Saturday, Longtails outplayed Canaries, who failed to take advantage of their superiority in numbers. Canaries had most of the early possession but Longtails' defence, marshalled by Lisa Rawlings, stood firm.

After 27 minutes Joanne Wilson picked up the ball on the 25 yard line and outpaced three Canaries' defenders before firing against the post. Wilson picked up the rebound and scored, lifting Longtails to the 1-0 victory.

Canaries B side, playing with six players from their A side, beat Swifts 1-0.

Samantha Adams scored 30 seconds before the half as she twisted and turned her way past the usually reliable Tiffany Sousa.