Hockey club takes stock as wintry weather bites

This meant a week off for Ballymena’s five senior teams and a chance to take stock of how things are progressing so far in their respective leagues as they almost reach half way in their season.

The ladies’ firsts were due to face Cork side Bandon in the Irish Hockey trophy on Saturday and were feeling optimistic considering their form so far this season.

The firsts are currently sitting joint third in section 1 of the ONE 1918 senior league and despite losing heavily to Garvey last week, have notched up some big wins of their own, scoring 20 goals in just seven matches.

First position Garvey are eight points ahead, but second place Portadown have just had one more win than Ballymena, although Omagh and Victorians will also be trying to better their third position too.

The ladies’ seconds have had a mixed bag of results and are in seventh spot of section two of the Corporate Coaching league, just two places above the danger zone.

The team, however, have some very promising young players coming through who simply need more experience.

As a team, they are gelling well together and give 100 per cent so there is no reason why they can’t reach for a more stable position in their league.

Three sections below the seconds, the ladies thirds are lying right in the middle of their table in section five. A blend of youth and experience has worked well for this team.

There is a big gap developing between the top two teams in this section and the rest of the field but Ballymena should be able to compete with the others and stay in a comfortable position.

It has been a rough ride for the men’s firsts in ONE 1918 senior 2.

The well documented loss of many of last season’s players, the unavailability of others over the past couple of months and the loss of their captain through injury, has hit the team hard.

Despite this, the spirit among the squad has remained defiant. Lack of luck and at times inexperience, have been key factors for some disappointing defeats.

The men are currently sitting just above bottom team Foyle, but are determined to settle some scores as they begin soon to face their oppositions on the return leg and try to edge up the board a little.

The men’s seconds are in fifth place of the Corporate Coaching Junior 5 league and have been very pleased with their performances to date.

They sit just five points adrift of the league leaders, so a couple more wins and other results going their way, could see them gain an even higher position before long.

Ballymena’s juniors have also been putting the borough on the map with encouraging performances from their under 13 and under 15 teams, the latter having an unbeaten record so far.

The return of the ladies’ veterans team has sparked new life among the club’s over 35s.

They were disappointed to have their second match called off on Friday night but with an initial win over Randalstown and the known potential there is among its players, they could be the club’s team of the season this year!