Rainey crowned Ulster Superleague champions
Rainey Endowed V Banbridge Academy in the final of the Ulster Schools Superleague – Wednesday 27 November at Playball, Stormont.
The Rainey girls 1STXI hockey team won their league group matches 7-0 v Coleraine Grammar School, 4-0 v Glenlola Collegiate, 1-0 v Dalriada and 4-0 v Ballymena Academy to top their Superleague section and reach the ¼ final v Royal School Armagh.
This proved to be a very tough match with the Rainey girls played a fast-competitive match to go 2-0 up early on through Gabi Scott and Alexa Hastings, against a very strong Armagh Team. But just on half time Armagh pulled one back to make it 2-1. The second half continued to be played end to end but it was Armagh who eventually found the back of the net to pull the match back to a draw.
The teams then faced a shoot out to decide the winner. Some fine saves from goalkeeper Dawn Francis and goals from Charlotte Beggs, Ellie Montgomery and Gabi Scott ensured a 3-2 win to Rainey on penalty runs.
The Rainey girls then progressed to the semi-final at Civil Service Hockey Club on the 16 November against Strathearn School.
Strathearn started well and dominated much of the play but the Rainey girls were patient and played themselves into the game. Ellie Stewart scored a great goal late in the first quarter which saw the Rainey girls grow in confidence and start to take control of the game. A penalty stroke clinically finished by Captain, Ellie Montgomery, and a fine individual goal from Charlotte Beggs brought the score to 3-0 just on half time. The Rainey kept the pressure up in the second half and another great goal saw Gabi Scott put the girls 4-0 up and guaranteed their place in the final, with Ellie Montgomery taking the player of the match award.
The final was played on Wednesday 27 November, 3.00pm start at Playball, Stormont.
As expected, the final was a tough match with both teams strongly contesting every ball. The first quarter was a cagey affair with the teams trying to settle into what was a nerve wracking occasions. Both teams had been in the final before, Banbridge last year and Rainey the year before so were keen to try and take their first Ulster Superleague title. Every player worked hard to created attacking situations, but it was Ellie Stewart who the had the first big shot which was well saved by the Bann goalkeeper in the first half.
Although Banbridge won several short corners Rainey defended bravely and denied them the all-important goal.
Then with ten minutes left it was Charlotte Beggs, back on the pitch from an injury, with some fine individual play who then broke the dead lock with a great goal from the top of the circle.
Banbridge then increased the intensity with time running down but Rainey kept their heads and defended soundly to keep the final score 1-0 to Rainey. The Rainey girls were absolutely delighted to lift this trophy for the first time as Ulster Superleague Champions.
Charlotte Beggs was awarded the player of the match award.
The girls would like to thank all the pupils, teachers, family and friends who came to support them and Moyola Precision the team sponsor.
Rainey Endowed 1STXI Hockey Team-
Captain, Ellie Montgomery, Dawn Francis, Alexandra McKinlay, Sarah Goodwin, Jess O’Neill, Gabi Scott, Charlotte Beggs, Honor Graham, Ellie Stewart, Aimee McClure, Alexa Hastings, Molly Clifford, Rachel McMenemy, Jenna Brown, Lucy Thomson, Aoife Doyle, Hannah O’Neill, Hannah Porter and Imogen Graham.
