AWARDS DINNER 2008/2009
Randalstown Ladies Hockey Club Annual report.
This year has been a very successful year for Randalstown Ladies hockey
club with many well deserved trophies being won. The 1st XI finishing
4th, 2nd XI finishing 2nd, 3rd XI winning their league, 4th XI finishing
3rd and the 5th XI also won their league.
This year the 1st XI lost in total 4 experienced players due to retirement
and moving of clubs but due to the depths of skills and determination
from the club, 2nds and 3rds were promoted to play premier level hockey.
The season started with the wine mark shield, a competition the club
has had a good track record in and this year was no exception. Randalstown
were drawn in a group against Greenisland, Queens, Omagh and Knock.
The competition saw the new look 1st XI play a mixture of inspired hockey
and patchy hockey, but never the less a clean sheet was maintained throughout
the group stages and victory secured on all occasions. This meant Randalstown
progressed to the semi final only to discover they would face new rivals
Elks. Although the Elks are placed a league below Randalstown it was
known that this match would be a difficult challenge as a number of
experienced international players. The semi final took place at Lisnagarvey
hockey club and was an occasion enjoyed by both players and supporters.
Randalstown took the lead but then relaxed and allowed the Elks to get
back into the game and from 2 set pieces who then went on to win the
game. The league this year had its ups and downs and it was imminent
that they had to finish 4th to secure a place in the all Ireland league.
After losing players due to injury 3 games from the end of the season,
Randalstown had to step up their game, and won 2 out of the final 3
matches and 4th position was secured. An exciting new league was introduced
to hockey this year with the introduction of the Irish hockey league,
bringing new rules to bring it further in line with European hockey.
Randalstown had no expectations in this league thus used it to gain
experience. Randalstown’s most pleasing results in the competition came
against 2 Ulster sides, Pegasus and Harlequins with exceptional performances
in both games. This season saw drastic improvements in individual members
of the team with morale and trust developing throughout the season.
The 2nd XI played their first competitive game of the season with only
7 players out of the 22 that represented them last year. In most clubs
this would have a detrimental effect but due to the standard of teams
further down the club, the 2nd XI only thrived from this. There was
also the introduction of a number of new and old players to the team.
Of the 18 league games played won 12, drew 3 and lost 3 scoring 38 goals
along the way and only conceding 10, the best defensive record in the
league. The season has been one of many highs and lows for the 2nd XI
with a few distinguishing disappointments along the way most notably
5-1 loss to Hermes 2nd XI at home in the 2nd round of the Irish junior
cup, unfortunately that day they faced not only an experienced and talented
team, one which went on to win the competition but extreme weather conditions
which may never be witnessed again one e.g. being having to pick up
the nets which had blown over half way through the 2nd half. One of
the highlights of the season was 4 players from the 2nd XI, Nicole Moore,
Louise Mellor, Ashley Grant and Jayne McGrillen being selected to represent
the successful junior Ulster team in the inter pro tournament at UUJ
with Nicole Moore being named player of the tournament.
This year the 3rd XI had a brilliant season. Last year being promoted
into junior 2. There was a lot of changes to the team with only 5 players
remaining from last year’s team but we gelled together very quickly.
They played 18 games; won 13 drew 3 lost 2. Scored 54 goals, conceded
23 and had the highest goal scoring in the league. There are many young
girls in this team who have played brilliantly and will become big stars
of this club.
The 4th’s started the league well. They got knocked out of the junior
cup at the quarterfinals by Dromore 2nd’s that are 2 leagues above them.
The 4th’s finished in 3rd place in the league and were happy with the
seasons results.
At the start of the season there were doubts if there would be a 5th
XI squad. The team was only formed the previous season but 2 of the
squad went straight to the 3rds, 7 moved up to the 4ths and 1 went on
a gap year leaving just 2 of the original players and with the rule
that players have to be over 14, they couldn’t be called up to help,
many of which are more than capable! However they were very successful
and won their league and the cup final!!
Not to forget the veterans who have ironically welcomed a few younger
players to the team.
We have a thriving junior section to the club. The under 11s took part
in the Ballymena tournament winning all games and the overall tournament
by golden goal, scored by Emma Clyde. Emma was also picked as player
of the tournament but wasn’t allowed 2 awards as she had already been
picked as top goal scorer. The under12s compete in a 7 a side league
at Garvey with 28 other teams from 12-4 on a Sunday. Over the year the
girls competed well, only losing the very last league game and on championship
day they won the trophy competition scoring 14 goals and conceding none.
The under 13s also took part in the Ballymena tournament winning all
games and the over all tournament by penalty flicks, with Alexandra
Graham winning top goal scorer. There are 2 under 14 teams, with the
teams being picked geographically and not on ability. The under 14 team
at Ballyclare won all their games taking them into the league finals
at Garvey this Sunday, all support would be welcome! The under 14 team
at Ballymoney had a mixed season and between matches being called off
due to weather and unavailability they finished 2nd place getting them
into league play offs also.
Randalstown Ladies hockey club wish to thank Junction One for their
sponsorship, coaches Davy Allen, Tim Weir and David Mellor for all their
hard work they put into training every week, Heather Allison and Isobel
Millar, the team managers for supporting the girls at matches, and at
training and on nights out. Also wish to thank umpires and supporters
for their dedication.
Randalstown Ladies Hockey Club Award Winners
2008 -2009 Season
Senior Player of the Year Rebecca Winnington
Junior Player of the Year CJ McDonald
Most Promising Schoolgirl Becky Grant
John
Ashe Memorial Lisa Thomas
(Top goal scorer in 4th XI)
Veterans Ally McNeill
Millar Team Trophies: (Player of the year)
1st
XI Katherine Elkin
2nd
XI Nicole Moore
3rd
XI Brooke Cully
4th XI Danielle Rooney
5th XI Emma McClurkin
U14s Gillian Weir
U12s
Zoe Wilson
Sporting personality of the year - Nicole Moore
Ashley
Burns Memorial Sharon Graham
(1st XI Players’ Player)
Tait Cup Patricia Logan
(Services to the Club)
1st time rep honours - Jayne McGrillen, Ashley Grant
bravenet.com
