President's Cup success for Randalstown

Randalstown Hockey ClubFirst XI won their second piec e of silverware of the season when they beat Queens at Stormont on Sunday to win the Inaugural President's Cup.
By The Newsroom
Published 9th May 2016, 10:01 BST
Updated 9th May 2016, 11:02 BST
Randalstown First XI celebrate after beating Queen's University in the final of the President's Cup. Picture: Press Eye.Randalstown First XI celebrate after beating Queen's University in the final of the President's Cup. Picture: Press Eye.
Randalstown First XI celebrate after beating Queen's University in the final of the President's Cup. Picture: Press Eye.

Both of these teams had met in the Ulster Shield Final on Boxing day when the game went to extra time and penalties with Randalstown coming out victors.

Randalstown were under pressure early on but midway through the half an excellent free hit taken by Zoe Wilson, found Katharine McDowell in the circle and her reverse strike went into goals, to give Randalstown the lead.

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This spurred the girls on and they won a penalty corner and Zoe’s drag flick was blocked , but then the second shot went into goals to double their lead.

In the second half Randalstown were again under some pressure as Queens tried to get back into the game, but the defence made some very timely interceptions and clearances to keep them from having any real attempts.

Queens grew stronger and had a period of dominance from which they were awarded a stroke. This was scored to bring them back into the game. Tiredness was setting in and Randalstown found themselves more and more in their own half. Queens should have found themselves on equal terms again, but for a fantastic save by Emma Leslie who dived across her goals and punched away the ball.

However Randalstown held on and had a few more attacking attempts, but the game ended 2-1 , with Randalstown becoming the first team to win this trophy.