Raphoe Hockey Club kept their hopes of returning to the top flight of Ulster Hockey alive with a fine draw against Civil Service at the Royal and Prior grounds.
A positive result for Raphoe would secure their place in the playoffs in this second-versus-third matchup.
The game started nervously, with both sides struggling to maintain possession early on. Raphoe’s best chance of the first quarter came when Jamie Russell found space down the left, using the ball well to win a short corner. Simon Goudie stepped up to take it, but his drag flick was bravely charged down by the first runner. Civil Service responded with a short corner of their own, but Raphoe goalkeeper Richard produced a superb save, tipping the drag flick onto the post to keep the scores level.
The second quarter remained tightly contested, with both sides battling hard to find a breakthrough. Civil Service earned a couple of short corners, but Raphoe’s defence held firm.
In the third quarter, Civil Service began to dominate possession, penning Raphoe in and eventually breaking the deadlock. A shot was initially saved by the Raphoe keeper, but the rebound fell kindly to the incoming Service striker, who tapped home to give the visitors the lead.
Knowing a goal was needed, Raphoe stepped up in the final quarter. Cameron Nawn picked up the ball on the left and drove straight at the heart of the Service defence. A brilliant piece of skill in the D saw him weave through multiple defenders before finding Keith Meehan, whose first-time deflected pass to the back post was met by Scott Devenney — calmly slotting home for his first senior goal.
With momentum on their side, Raphoe pushed for the winner. Reece Kilpatrick picked up the ball on the right, drove along the baseline and squared it back to Nawn, who rifled a reverse stick shot past the Service keeper to make it 2-1.
However, Civil Service were not finished. They pressed hard in the final minutes and were rewarded with a short corner, which they converted to level the game at 2-2.
A hard-fought contest ended all square, securing a crucial point for Raphoe and keeping their playoff hopes alive.
As the season comes to a close, the team offered its thanks to coach Lee Stewart for his dedication and leadership throughout the year.
They also gave their huge appreciation to all of the supporters who backed the team week in, week out — both home and away.
