Ballyclare High v Friends, Lisburn

 Thursday 28 th February at UUJ

Ballyclare High School 1st XI defeated Friends' School, Lisburn 3 - 2 to win the Ulster Schools’ Hockey Shield at UUJ on Thursday 28 February 2008, thanks to two goals from team captain Rebecca Smith and one from Lauren Mawhinney.

Having previously experienced only one defeat this season (after extra time in the Schools’ Cup against Portadown College) and having overcome the same opponents 3 - 1 in an earlier fixture, Ballyclare approached the match in confident mood and emerged victorious only after a competitive encounter in which Friends also contributed fully to the good standard of hockey on display.

Ballyclare appeared unfazed by the great atmosphere generated by the large crowd in attendance from both schools and started promisingly, with Amy McConnell winning the first penalty corner after only three minutes. Vanessa Surgeoner’s shot went narrowly wide, but Ballyclare remained on the attack and a fluid movement involving Jenny McBrien, Amy McConnell and Lauren Mawhinney almost resulted in a goal-scoring opportunity.

After eight minutes Friends produced their first threatening attack forcing goalkeeper Lynn Taylor to rush out and make a good block. Amy McConnell was particularly prominent in the Ballyclare attacks and forced a good save from the Friends goalkeeper after twelve minutes. Three minutes later, after sustained Ballyclare pressure and an excellent piece of individual skill from Lauren Mawhinney, Suzie Weir’s reverse stick shot was blocked and Vanessa Surgeoner’s shot from the rebound was also well saved.

Friends began to contribute more in attacking areas, and it required a strong tackle from Megan Thompson to avert the danger after a Friends forward found an alarming amount of space in the Ballyclare circle. Friends began to pass the ball more accurately and were rewarded with the opening goal after twenty one minutes. To their credit Ballyclare responded purposefully to this unexpected setback and Jenny McBrien’s well-directed pass gave Vanessa Surgeoner a chance to shoot narrowly wide.

With only five minutes of the first half remaining Ballyclare won their third penalty corner, and the well-practised variation involving Amy McConnell resulted in Rebecca Smith firing home the equaliser. Seizing the initiative Ballyclare pressed forward again, not content to reach half time on level terms. Sarah Agnew won the fourth penalty corner of the first half and although the initial shot from Vanessa Surgeoner was saved, the rebound was collected by Rebecca Smith on the edge of the circle and, through a crowd of players, she fired home another well-timed shot to give Ballyclare the lead.

Two penalty corners early in the second period indicated Ballyclare’s determination to continue to play positively. Another well-timed shot from Vanessa Surgeoner was courageously blocked by the Friends goalkeeper, but Lauren Mawhinney was ideally placed to lift the ball towards the goal to extend the Ballyclare advantage to 3 - 1.

Although trailing by two goals, Friends retained their composure and began to apply further pressure on the Ballyclare defence. With twenty minutes still remaining, the second Friends pursuit of a goal increased the anxiety among the Ballyclare contingent of spectators and kept the final destination of the Shield in the balance. With Megan Thompson particularly influential in defence, Ballyclare managed to deny the equalising goal. With time running out the spectators were relieved to see Ballyclare retaining possession and creating some good opportunities. Rebecca Smith’s penalty corner shot was saved and the same player saw an imaginative reverse stick shot go narrowly wide, but Friends still had time to force Lynn Taylor to make one final important save, before the final whistle sounded to confirm Ballyclare’s win.

The newly constructed 1st XI squad began this season unburdened by high expectations but, inspired by the challenge of a collective vision of their success, they have grown in confidence and maturity as the year has progressed. The continuation of a firmly established team spirit and a commitment to excellence, added to the emergence of a rich new crop of promising players, have transformed what promised to be a transitional season into a highly successful one.

The Ulster Schools’ Shield is a deserved reward for the productive interaction between knowledgeable coaching staff and talented pupils which encapsulates all that is positive about school sport. For the five players leaving school this year it is a culmination to their years of endeavour and commitment to school hockey while, for those who will return next year, it serves as an inspiration for future success and makes a clear statement of their winning potential.

For all those associated with school hockey this win enhances an already growing reputation, and for the wider school community it adds further momentum to the current ongoing challenge for sporting success at various levels across a wide range of activities.

Squad: Lynn Taylor, Megan Thompson, Lydia Campbell, Holly Steele-Nicholson, Suzie Weir, Rebecca Smith, Jenny McBrien, Amy McConnell, Lauren Mawhinney, Sarah Agnew, Vanessa Surgeoner, Penny Brown, Joanna Mills, Clare Holmes, Kerri Hill, Helen McKinstry.