In fact Ballymoney dominated most of the play, winning eight penalty corners and conceding only one.

Their international player, Bridget McKeever, was magnificent. She grabbed hold of the midfield and controlled it throughout the game with an awesome display of tackling and distribution.

Susie Martin and Lauran Barr were also in marvellous form and up front Megan Frazer is getting better and better.

For Pegasus, goalkeeper Sharon Moffett pulled off several very good saves and sweeper Arlene Boyles needed all her experience and superb ability to stem the tide of attacks from an impressive Ballymoney.

The home side were on top for the first 63 minutes of the game but teams that do not take advantage of their chances against Pegasus will always suffer.

There is no better team in Ulster at soaking up pressure and grinding out a result – that is one of the reasons why they have won the league title 11 years in a row.

With seven minutes to go Alex Speers took advantage of a half-chance and five minutes later a lovely run from Claire McMahon set up Jenny Kyle for a well taken goal, to give Pegasus a flattering 2-0 victory.

Ballymoney played the better hockey but failed to score and Pegasus showed why they are such an outstanding team.

In the other big clash of the day, a goal from Katherine Elkin gave Randalstown a confidence boosting victory over Armagh.

The very talented Sharon Graham was the star for Randalstown with a wonderful game in midfield.

Knock had a 2-1 win over Victorians thanks to goals from Jess Browne and Sonia Campagnaro. Kate McGowan scored for Victorians.

Newly promomoted Lisnagarvey went down 3-0 to Ards, whose goals came from Eimear Horan, Janice Vaughan and Elaine Alexander.

The Lurgan - Belfast Harlequins game turned out to be a very close affair with both sides finding the net once.

Carly Johnston converted a penalty stroke for Lurgan and Sarah Wilkinson got the Harlequins’ goal.

In Senior One, all eyes will be on the star-studded Ulster Elks this season and they got off to a great start with a 5-0 win at Civil Service.

New Zealand international Frances Kreft got her first goal for the students and others came from Louise Wirght, Emma Clarke, Lynsey Neish and Paula McCullough.

Omagh were second in the league last season and they began the campaign with a 1-1 draw against Greenisland.

Lesley Alcorn scored for Omagh and Erin McCaw got the Greenisland goal.

There was no shortage of goals in Londonderry, where Priorians beat Ballymena 3-2. Michelle Riddells got a couple and Netty Wilson added the third while Catherine McGivern aned Susie Bell scored for Ballymena.

Queens and Cookstown played out a 0-0 draw and as the scoreline suggests it was a good day for goalkeepers.

Sarah Barfoot was in form for Queens but Cookstown, who had to start without three schoolgirls on their way from Enniskillen, turned to centre forward Laura Gillespie.