the weekend as Canaries moved within a point of leaders Cardinals with just three matches left to play.

On Saturday, Canaries defeated a stubborn Orioles team 3-0 thanks to a Rhonda Rawlins hat-trick.

Orioles had played well to shut out Canaries in the first half but they couldn't match the strong Canaries midfield after the interval.

On Sunday, Cardinals and Canaries drew 0-0 in a match that almost failed to start because of a lack of officials.

When play eventually began some 30 minutes late, Cardinals had their best chance of the game in the first minute as Canaries' goalkeeper Tami Ray barely managed to scramble the ball away from Maria Pitchery.

Canaries came back strongly with Jackie White on the right wing tearing holes in the Cardinals' defence only to see her crosses wasted.

After 14 minutes Pitchery was put through but Carol Ferris made a fine saving tackle, and this proved to be Cardinals last threat in the first half.

White missed the best chance of the game after 20 minutes for Canaries, blasting a shot wide with only the goalkeeper to beat.

Although both sides created some openings in the second half, the game ended scoreless despite pressure by Canaries in the last few minutes of the half.

In B League play on Sunday an improving Orioles team upset Bluebirds 1-0 on a goal by Zina Jones following a goalmouth scramble 13 minutes into the second half.

Bluebirds created many chances, the best coming at the end of the first half when a break by Ann-Marie Ivanoff gave Sara Moltby the ball three yards from goal, but she shot wide.

On Saturday Bluebirds and Swifts played to a tense 0-0 draw. Bluebirds completely dominated their opponents throughout the first half and were unlucky not to be awarded a goal after 10 minutes. But Swifts hung on as Anne Dawson made several important saves.

The second half proved to be a more even affair with neither side able to find the finishing touch.