the weekend, thrashing previously unbeaten `A' Division leaders Canaries 6-3 at Nationals.

Canaries have remained unbeaten for the past three seasons, although Swallows have always looked the most likely team to end their streak.

And they lived up to that billing when they outscored their highly rated opponents in a nine-goal feast.

Cath Griffith led the scoring for Swallows with a hat-trick while Shelley Clement netted twice and Krista Ward the other.

Second-placed Swallows were undaunted even after Canaries took the lead with a goal from Rhonda Rawlins from a short corner routine. Swallows replied soon after when a penalty flick was awarded after a bad tackle on Griffith.

The game continued at a fast pace with Lisa DeSilva picking up a poor hit-out from Swallows, and running away to score Canaries' second.

But Swallows persevered and a well practised short corner routine between Liz Osborne and Griffith resulted in a second equaliser. Krista Ward came up with goal number three after a well-timed hit across the goal ended in the roof of the net, rebounding off Canaries 'keeper Tami Ray.

In the second half, Griffith was awarded another penalty and scored with a flick through the 'keeper's legs to make it 4-2. Clement extended that lead to three with the fifth after a touch over the line from a cross.

Swallows continued to defend well and good marking of the forward line limited Canaries' chances in the second half when they scored just once more through DeSilva.

Bluebirds enjoyed a 2-0 victory over Swifts whose defence suffered a first half nightmare when only some excellent goalkeeping by Alex Lewis prevented a goal avalanche.

The 0-0 interval score didn't reflect Bluebirds' dominance, with the bright spot for the young team being the improving stickwork of Fiona Lee.

Cardinals needed to beat Orioles in their penultimate game of the season to have an outside chance of finishing second in the league, and they did so with a 4-2 victory after leading 3-0 at the half.

Cardinals started out quickly and dominated play in the first 15 minutes. The opening goal came from a great pass into the `D' by Tracey McPhee to Maria Pichery who placed her shot perfectly into the right corner of the net.

The second came after Lisa Ray and Kerry Graham drove up the pitch with precise passing. Graham drilled a shot which brought off a good save from 'keeper Fiona Doe and Pichery followed up to flick the rebound into the net.

The final goal of the half came from a short corer which saw Kirsten Butterworth pick up a pass from outside the `D' and shoot. The ball popped up past the 'keeper's right shoulder and into the net.

It wasn't until the second half that Orioles got into the game, with their valiant effort resulting in two goals within 10 minutes from Susie Elton and Gail Thorne.

Orioles had a chance to equalise when a penalty flick was awarded, but 'keeper Vicki Johnston denied Elton when she picked off the stroke.

Cardinals regained control after that despite good efforts from Orioles' Georgie Adlam and Belthea Pringle. The final goal came when Pichery received a long corner from Margaret Weale. Pichery's drive found McPhee who was ready at the post to tap the ball home.

Cardinals also had a good game defensively with Lisa Ray and Caroline Cash, playing injured, both outstanding.

In the B League, Cardinals secured the league title with a 2-1 win over Orioles who seemed determined to deny their opponents.

Betty MacLean gave Orioles the lead when she deflected a shot from Susie Elton past the left boot of the Cards 'keeper.

Cards answered with one of their own just before the half when a scramble in front of goal saw Iesha Castle push the ball onto the waiting stick of Graham who scored to the right of the 'keeper.

The second half saw Cardinals take control during the last 30 minutes with one shot going wide and another coming off the post. A terrific build-up from Jessica Sousa, Michelle Clarke and Graham left Heather Spinney alone to put away the winner with an excellent strike into the far corner.

Canaries and Swallows played to a 0-0 draw and Bluebirds beat Swifts 2-0. Both goals were scored by Ellen Charnley. Swifts managed to keep the score level until the 59th minute when Charnley netted and the same player got her second 10 minutes later with some help from Holly Baker and Ingrid McKenna.

This weekend sees the final games of the season in both leagues and the start of the men's knockout cup.