Enniskillen Hockey Club enjoyed the sweet taste of success on Saturday when they defeated NICS2 following a superb second half in which they scored three goals without reply to win this final by 4-1.

The win is a great boost for the club which is celebrating it’s 40th year and they will now have some silverware for their anniversary dinner on Saturday, May 10.

Captain Gillian Stevenson was suitably delighted and feels it is another big step forward for the club.

“We finished in a better position in the league and to win this Plate is very encouraging and I think we thoroughly deserved it on the day. We were the better team and we took our chances in the second half while our defence played really well and hardly gave them a chance other than the goal,” enthused Gillian.

“We had a good celebration, nothing too major. It is a good boost for the club. We have good numbers around 50 for our youth training and it is our 40th year, so to lift some silverware is very encouraging. The plan would be too build further on this win and the door is always open for former players to come back or new ones to start. The win certainly can’t do any harm, that’s for sure.” The match began very evenly but it wasn’t long before Enniskillen settled and played some terrific hockey.

Their passing and moving into space was too much for NICS2 and they created a lot of chances.

Unfortunately for Enniskillen the breakthrough wouldn’t come.

Midway through the half though the Fermanagh side did get their reward.

The ball was moved with some quick passing from right to left and McToal was on hand to grab the first goal. Enniskillen continued to push forward with some terrific running on the wings from Noble and McToal but a second goal was proving elusive and the sucker punch arrived in the last few minutes of the first half.

A breakaway down the right from NICS and subsequent cross produced the equaliser to make it 1-1 at half-time.

Although being pegged back to 1-1, the Enniskillen girls went back out in the second half confident that they could continue to create chances and force the victory.

Indeed the second goal came almost immediately after the restart.

The terrific Stronge in centre midfield played yet another defence splitting pass to the left wing and player of the match McToal smashed home her and Enniskillen’s second of the game.

With the lead now restored and the defence marking NICS out of the game, Enniskillen took control of the game.

Their third goal came from their first penalty corner of the game. A brilliant strike from Crawford was saved by the keeper but Hutchinson picked up the loose ball and after a quick one two with Stevenson in the circle she calmly slotted the ball past the stranded keeper for 3-1.

The Enniskillen cake was well and truly iced with the fourth and final goal of the game which came from another penalty corner.

The first shot from Crawford was again well saved by the keeper but Stevenson was quickest to react and pick up the loose ball and slot home to round off the scoring. Enniskillen held firm for the rest of the match with the midfield tracking back tirelessly but still creating chances.

The match ended at 4-1 and when the final whistle sounded a delighted Enniskillen celebrated with their terrific supporters whom the girls would like to thank for travelling with them to Belfast for the final.

Delighted captain, Gillian Stevenson concluded: “It was a great win and we can now look forward to our 40th Anniversary Dinner. To this end, we are putting out a call to all members current and past to get in contact and attend the night. They are all very welcome and I can be contacted on gillianstevenson5@hotmail.co.uk for further details.” Team, G Eagleson, S McKee, W Walmsley, G Stevenson capt, L Crawford, V Wilson, J Stronge, K Dane, L Noble, S Hutchinson, C McToal, R McClean, C Wilson.