A FIGHT FOR SURVIVAL
Rory McKee
A PIVOTAL few weeks lie ahead for Ards Ladies Hockey Club as they aim to preserve their status in the top flight of the All-Ireland League.
The Oranges clinched a return to EYHL1 after successfully navigating the Division Two play-offs this time last year, but the step up in level has proved to be a challenging task with Ards currently housed in the Division One relegation zone.
Last weekend, after finding themselves 3-0 down to provincial rivals Ulster Elks, goals from Zara Malseed and Amy Benson threatened to derail the Jordanstown visitors. However the in-form Elks withstood the late surge from Ards to condemn the Londonderry Park outfit to a third straight defeat, leaving them three points adrift of safety.
The escape is by no means beyond Ards, whose performances to date this season will give them heart as they prepare for their three remaining league encounters. Trips to Limerick and Cork to face Catholic Institute and UCC bookend a home game with UCD at the end of the month and it’s likely that the Oranges will require at least four points between now and the end of the season if they are to feature in next year’s EYHL ranks.
