100 years for Saintfield club

100 years for Saintfield club

7 July 2021

THERE was a party atmosphere at The Demesne on Saturday to celebrate  Saintfield men’s hockey club’s centenary season.

The home outfit welcomed an Ulster over-35 side to the Demesne in a match played in good spirits and one that brought an end to lockdown restrictions after what has been a tumultuous season.

In attendance was president of the Ulster Hockey Union, Rosie Rea and chairman Billy Pollock. 

A few formalities on the pitch appeared beforehand consisting of a presentation of a 100th season plate, alongside a few team photos and then the game was under way.

Saintfield was sporting an inflated bench, but when you’re going up against what is effectively an all star team over a certain age, the Saints were expected to throw the kitchen sink at them. 

A fantastic turnout of guys meant Saintfield could effectively have one team play the first quarter, and then nearly a whole different squad for the second before rotating into the third and fourth. 

The game was stamped very early on with how it was going to be, the ball was getting the chance to do all the hard work on both driving plays. 

Ulster had a very tough press early on looking to get on the scoreboard, but a combination of rustiness getting back into 11-a-side competition plus the outstanding, man of the match performance from Lawrence Murphy in goals, meant the score sheet was kept blank.

While Saintfield may have had the speed advantage on their breakout plays, the experience and positional awareness of the Ulster squad began to shine through. 

The visitors squeezed the Saintfield back four and awaited until the home ‘keeper made just enough of an open net to break the deadlock. With that came the end of the first half and Saintfield made the tactical switch. 

The fresh legs started well getting a few chances of their own, but a mistake from a hit out on Saintfield’s end led to a punishing drive and a 2-0 hill to climb. 

This was made worse not more than two minutes later with the Ulster side scoring to make it 3-0.

However, none of the Saints heads ped and both teams were playing great hockey when in possession. 

The bantering from the sidelines and spectator area just made the game how it was meant to be – a fun celebration.

Half-time came and with a lot of water taken onboard the two teams switched sides and readied up to go again. 

The game gave Saintfield a chance to try out some players in slightly new positions whilst also allowing the home team to get reacquainted with a few players busy with other commitments and other sports. 

The two teams started strong again but Saintfield ended up snakebitten and a string of short corners gave the visitors another goal before a supreme solo effort made it 5-0.

Fearing their impending doom in the fourth quarter, Ulster put the game just a little further out of reach of Saintfield as they gained another short and once more drove home to give them a six-goal cushion going into the final quarter. 

With the Saints rotated again they managed better than the third quarter team and only let the Ulster boys gain two goals this time around. 

Saintfield felt that the comeback was due to happen soon, but the smell from the barbecue at the clubhouse was just too big a distraction on the day and the very hungry stomachs on the humid day lost the game for them. 

A fantastic game was had by everyone who got to pull on the blue top with Murphy winning man of the match and a presentation for his effort to take the club through it’s Club Mark accreditation was a brilliant end to the pitch activities. 

Everyone then moved down the hill and took up the seats and steps outside the clubhouse to enjoy the barbecue and a few well earned beers. 

Saintfield gave a special thanks to Archie Gregg and Andy Barbour for being the best dressed umpires, to Rosie Rea and Billy Pollock for coming down to see the club and its facilities while noting how far the team have come from the shale pitch. 

Thanks were also extended to the Ulster over 35s for an entertaining game at a great pace and level as well as to the boys and girls behind the scenes who worked on the food and drink.

Saintfield are requesting that old players rejoin the club and new players are more than welcome to join.

Training is on Monday evening at 8.15pm with a social game on Wednesdays, also at 8.15pm.

Saintfield will also be  launching a new kit and sponsors for the upcoming season.