BY LEE MAGINNIS
THE Ulster U16 girls squad, hosted Scotland at UUJ for a three day, three match series. It was their first time playing together as a team, but they acquitted themselves well in a 3-0 series win for the Scots that will serve as a learning experience.
Controversially, Hockey Ireland had said that any girl selected for the Irish squad could not play for Ulster, they later revised this to any such player could only take part in one of the games.
The series marked the start of the 2025 Interprovincial preparations.
The first game saw Ulster head into the final quarter level on 1-1, Zara Moyo had won a penalty which was converted by Camryn Wilson, and this had cancelled out the Scottish lead.
The Scottish had been looking the more threatening and so it proved in the final quarter, with three more goals to give a final score of 4-1 to the visitors.
On to the second game, and the young Ulster squad ran the Scottish much closer.
The side had gone 1-3 down but managed to fight back to 3-3, with a goal from Emma Sloan, and two from Rebecca Rowan, before two late Scottish goals sealed a win for the visitors.
Cassie McMaw grabbed a late goal for Ulster, final score 4-5.
In the third and final match of the series, Ulster lost out narrowly again, going down 2-1 which means the Scottish won all three games.
But there are plenty of positives for this hardworking squad and a lot of experience has been gained!
