ULSTER Elks won their first Denman Shield in almost 15 years as they beat Queen’s University 2-1 in the Final at Havelock Park, Banbridge on Wednesday evening.
Canadian Audrey Sawers got the winning goal of the game despite a late consolation effort from Jodie Simmons.
It was Queen’s who started the game quicker, seeing plenty of possession but unable to break down a stern Ulster Elks defence.
Instead it was Elks who won the first penalty corner of the game with Lucy Craig seeing her slapped effort deflect narrowly wide of the near post.
With a quarter of an hour gone, Ulster Elks got the opening goal through forward Rachel Houston.
The recent recruit from Ards, quickly took a sideline ball before running across the byline and squeezing her effort in at the near post, giving her side a narrow 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
From there, Elks took control of the game, dominating possession and limiting Queen’s University to very little in front of goal despite several driving runs from Zoe Wilson.
In the 27th minute, the side came close to doubling their lead when a crash ball into the circle found Betty Scott but her deflected effort was saved by Queen’s goalkeeper Holly Comer.
As the game progressed Queen’s University began to look more threatening on goal and came close to getting an equaliser just five minutes into the second half.
Eva Gaston’s ball into the circle found teammate Jodie Simmons but she couldn’t deflect her effort goalward as it went wide of the target.
Meanwhile, the forward went close once more as her side won their first penalty corner of the tie before she saw her reverse strike go the wrong side of the post.
Instead it was Elks who got the games second goal after they were awarded a penalty corner of their own at the end of the third quarter.
Canadian Audrey Sawers struck from the top of the and fired her effort in at the near post to double her sides advantage.
There was a late consolation effort for Queen’s University as Jodie Simmons finally got her goal, firing in at the near post on her reverse to set up a tense final ten minutes.
However, despite the continued late pressure from the Belfast side, they were unable to find their equalising goal as Ulster Elks held on to their slender advantage to be crowned Denman Shield champions for the first time since 2010/11.
Elks captain Gabi Scott with Ulster Hockey President Mervyn Logan
