QUEEN’S have blown the Premier League title race wide open and at the same time given themselves a boost ahead of their Intervarsities trip to Cork this weekend, with a superb 2-2 draw against champions Pegasus earlier this week.
Ballymoney must have thought they had handed the initiative to Pegasus when they also dropped two points against the students earlier in the campaign.
But now it’s all square as far as the concession of points is concerned between the two arch rivals who have shared the honours over the past 15 years.
Mind you the title tally stands at 14-1 in Pegasus’ favour but the early indications are that this season’s race for honours could be the closest for years.
And no one will rule out Queen’s who have already proved that they can take points off the big guns as they head for Cork and a little less pressurised hockey.
As a result of their exertions in the south where they will be joined by their Jordanstown counterparts, there are just two Premier league games tomorrow with Armagh taking on Ards and ‘Money hosting Victorians.
Queen’s coach Simon Bell was naturally delighted with the draw against Pegasus which he had earlier described ‘as not a result game’ in other words anything achieved would have been a bonus.
“Pegasus were the better team and they won the penalty corner count 7-1 and probably had around 70 per cent of the possession.” he said.
“But it was one of those games in which we looked dangerous on the counter attack and that’s how we got our goals.”
On Saturday it’s the turn of Ards and Ballymoney to take advantage of the Pegasus dropped points as they prepare to take on Armagh and Victorians respectively.
Armagh put up a brave battle against Queen’s last week but may not have enough firepower to secure a positive result against Ards.
Ballymoney will go into their game with Victorians as hot favourites to overcome the newly-promoted belfast side at the Joey Dunlop Centre.
Fixtures: Friday: Senior One: Greenisland v Harlequins (6.40pm).
Saturday: Premier League: Armagh v Ards (230pm), Ballymoney v Victorians (2pm)
Senior One: Ballymena v Lisnagarvey (230pm), Cookstown v Larne (1pm), Civil Service v Ballyclare (1pm).
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