ULSTER Hockey’s 2025 Indoor Championships is underway with reigning champions Ards topping the table at the end of week one at Antrim Forum.
The first game of the women’s section saw Coleraine and Queen’s University get their competition underway with the students sealing a comfortable 3-0 win.
Three goals in 10 minutes from captain Jenna McCarlie, Jodie Simmons and Megan Cochrane sealed the win and saw Simon Bell’s side get off to the perfect start.
Game two saw Randalstown take on reigning champions Ards and it was the local side who took a surprise lead with just four minutes on the clock as Stacey Patterson opening the scoring.
However, just a minute later the scores were level as Emma Reid converted from a penalty corner before two more set-piece goals gave Ards a 3-1 lead at half-time.
A penalty stroke from Naomi Grundie just after the break saw her side extend their lead to three goals going into the final ten minutes and put the result beyond doubt.
Ryan McMaster’s side did manage to grab a goal back with 21 minutes gone through Chloe McDonald before another goal a-piece saw Ards run out 5-3 winners.
Games three and four saw both Queen’s and Ards continue their fine form as they maintained their 100% starts to the competition with the students beating Randalstown 5-1 before Ards also sealed a comfortable victory, beating Coleraine 4-0.
The penultimate fixture saw the bottom two sides go head-to-head as they played out an 11 goal thriller as Stephen McCartney’s Coleraine ran out 6-5 winners.
Two goals in the opening two minutes saw the sides already level at 1-1 before a strike from Aimee Logan gave Randalstown a 2-1 lead in the sixth minute.
Just moments later, they were pegged back once more as Kenya McCartney levelled from a penalty corner before further strikes from McCartney and Zara Craig gave the side a 4-2 lead at half-time.
Straight after the restart, it was Randalstown who struck as they got a goal back through Alex Graham, however, immeadiately from the hit-off, Ruby Cadoo restored her sides two goal lead.
A penalty corner from Craig extended the lead to 6-3 before two late Randalstown goals set up a nervy final few minutes for Coleraine, but the side managed to hold out and seal their first win of the competition.
The final game of the afternoon saw the top two go head-to-head as Ards beat Queen’s University 3-1.
It was the eventual winners who got off to a flying start, taking the lead after just three minutes through Ellen Robinson which proved to be the only goal of the first half.
Then, with 16 minutes on the clock the champions doubled their lead through Amy Benson before Frankie Brown added a third from open play just moments later.
A late penalty corner from Ellie Montgomery saw Queen’s University grab a consolation effort, but it proved too little too late as Ards ran out out winners.
