runaway A League leaders Canaries to a 1-1 draw at Nationals to end their winning streak.

The sting of a draw will not be forgotten quickly by Canaries who had ambitions of a perfect season.

Despite several chances, the champions were unable to score in the first half.

But they finally broke the deadlock after the break through Lisa DeSilva.

However, Swallows levelled the score and held on for a 1-1 result, leaving them as the only team to have taken a point off Canaries who hold a commanding 19-point lead over Cardinals.

Cardinals closed the gap with a 3-0 win over Orioles. All their goals came in the first half, the opener from Laura Bardgett who one-timed the ball into the net. Maria Pichery netted the second, diverting a pass from Bardgett past goalie Fiona Doe.

A sloppy play on the part of Orioles was Pichery rewarded with a penalty stroke following a bad tackle. Suelan Veale took the stroke and slammed the ball into the left corner with Doe going the other way.

Despite continuous pressure in the second half, Orioles' defence held firm, led by veterans Gertie Barker and Susie Elton.

Bluebirds put up a spirited performance to beat Swifts 3-1, despite being down to eight players at times. Sarah Maltby, Candy Foggo and Melissa Milano all scored for the Blues.

The opposition became frustrated following a goal that was caused by a defensive error when Sharmini Thamotheram took out her own 'keeper Alex Lewis and presented Bluebirds with an easy tap-in. However, Swifts were rewarded six minutes later as good work on the right by Erica Frith led to a strong cross to Fiona Lee who converted.

The second half saw Swifts apply unrelenting pressure but to no avail. And in the 49th minute Bluebirds broke away to score their third.

There was a minor shift in the B League standings as Swallows moved into second place with a 1-0 win over Canaries. The result took Swallows a point ahead of Canaries.

Bluebirds narrowed the gap between themselves and Canaries to four points when they defeated Swifts 1-0 on a goal by winger Diana Wilson.

League leading Cardinals started out flatfooted against an undermanned Orioles side but pulled away to win 3-0.

Cardinals never eased off the gas as Iesha Castle, a junior, opened the scoring and Jessica Sousa added a brilliant second, beating four defenders on a charge for the 50-yard line and finishing off with a stinging shot from the top of the circle. Michelle Clarke also fired past 'keeper Lori Morris.

In men's action, Police scored a 2-1 win over Wasps who took the lead through Bert Rodney from a penalty corner.

However, two goals from Carl Seale, one from a penalty flick, sealed the win for Police.

Chameleons trampled over Upstarts 8-1 as Mark Finnegan scored four, Peter Norris two and John Dodd and Steve Morton one each.

Upstarts scored a consolation goal through David Dunwoody just before the end.