By Andrew Morrison
PEGASUS were crowned champions of the Denman Shield when they beat fellow EYHL side Ulster Elks 2-1 at Comber Road.
Goals from Sophie McDowell and Lucy McKee sealed the victory and sees them win the competition for the third year in a row.
Head Coach Phil Rankin was delighted to win such a prestigious competition in Ulster and in front of a bumper crowd, saying: “It’s the premier competition for Ulster Hockey and I think it’s one that we still need to keep pushing and promoting, so it was great to have a good turnout and I’m delighted to win it.
“It’s one of those games for us, you still have to prove you’re the top team in Ulster and that’s important for us as a club
“We could have controlled the second half better and it would have been a nicer way to finish but certainly, we were the better team from start to finish in different ways”
The first chance of the game came when Alex Speers was played through on goal but was denied by goalkeeper Gemma Ferguson at point-blank range.
With just 10 minutes on the clock, Pegs continued their early dominance in the tie with youngster Erin Pim winning her side the first penalty corner of the tie.
Shirley McCay got a slapped effort off at the top of the circle but again the effort was no match for Ferguson as she made a comfortable save.
The early dominance finally paid off when Lucy McKee opened the scoring with just 14 minutes on the clock.
Following a second penalty corner, an initial strike was well blocked by an Elks defender before the Pegasus forward converted the rebound at the near post.
After another tight quarter between the two sides, Pegs doubled their advantage in the closing stages of the first half.
Sophie McDowell picked up the ball on the right wing before cutting in and getting a reverse strike off from the top of the circle and pick out the bottom corner to make it 2-0.
However, it would be the student side who struck next with youngster Nieve Caldwell giving her side a lifeline against the run of play.
The youngster found herself unmarked at the top of the circle with 47 minutes on the clock before her reverse effort crashed off the crossbar and into the goal.
As play restarted for the fourth and final quarter Pegasus thought they were given the opportunity to seal the tie when they were awarded a penalty stroke.
However, just as former Ireland International Shirley McCay stepped up to take, the decision was reversed and they lost the chance.
Meanwhile, tensions began to boil over as teammate Alex Speers was shown the first card of the game and left Pegasus temporarily. down to 10.
Back to a full complement of players, Pegasus went close once more as Erin Pim struck narrowly wide from another penalty corner in the dying moments.
Despite a late period of pressure from Joel Cathcart’s Ulster Elks, they were unable to find a late equalising goal and Pegasus were crowned Denman Shield champions.
Final action
Shirley McCay with the Shield
