Historic victory for town

LURGAN had an historic win last week when they became the first team to defeat Pegasus in the league for four seasons.

Now in their third year in the Premiership Lurgan had already secured victories over Ballymoney, Elks, Randalstown, Ards and Victorians this season.

With a defensive record bettered only by Pegasus themselves Lurgan looked forward to this game even though they started without three of their regular players.

The large contingent of Lurgan supporters who travelled to Queens Playings Fields could not have imagined what lay ahead against the team who have completely dominated Ulster hockey for well over a decade.

Everyone in ladies hockey judges their progress by their performances against Pegasus, who have won the Premiership for the last 12 years and were on the brink of securing their 13 title.

An exciting game ensued with the experienced Pegasus team increasingly exerting pressure on Lurgan. The defence of Lyndsey Fulton, Chloe McIlwaine, Natalie Barr and Pamela McWhirter were magnificent throughout the evening with Serena Barr also playing her part as a second half substitute.

Lurgan looked comfortable, effectively relying on their counter attacking thrusts from midfield to threaten their illustrious opponents.

As the game progressed Pegasus earned themselves a string of short corners but these were effectively dealt with by the Lurgan defence with the brilliant Lisa Costley in goals making a number of fine saves.

As the second half started with the exciting game still deadlocked at 0-0 the question was whether the experience of Pegasus, with their team of internationals and seasoned championship winners would eventually break down the solid Lurgan resistance or if the speedy Lurgan forwards would catch Pegasus on the break.

As the second half progressed Lurgan increasingly looked dangerous and with 15 minutes to go a Pegasus move broke down deep in Lurgan territory and Bethany Barr picked up the ball in her own half releasing Zoe Mc Nally on the right side in the Pegasus half. Zoe, as she has done all season, ran at the defensive line, teasing the defenders before slipping the ball into the middle where Jill Edgar's stick met it at the edge of the circle, crashing it emphatically first time into the Pegasus net.

It is ample evidence of the progress made by Lurgan this season that they securely held on over the final 15 minutes of this cracking game even having opportunities to add to the score themselves in the dying minutes.

The Lurgan players celebrated in the centre of the pitch as the final whistle blew, Pegasus being forced to wait for confirmation of their 13th Premiership title for at least another couple of days.

This was a historic victory for Lurgan, the first defeat of Pegasus by any club in the league for over four years. That it was achieved by such a young squad and in such a manner that bodes well for next season. It is a platform that the Lurgan coaches will seek to build on next season.