Prolific Brown puts Ards in seventh heaven

CHLOE Brown scored seven goals as Ards lifted the Ulster indoor title for the seventh year in a row at Queen’s yesterday.

The Irish outdoor international’s ability at penalty corners proved decisive as the defending champions finished the series with three wins out of three.

They now progress to the all-Ireland series which takes place in Dublin next Sunday with the winners qualifying for Europe next season.

Ards will hope to be in charge of their destiny when they travel to Prague next month to represent Ireland in the second-tier European Championship but their first target will be to successfully defend their national title.

Brown got the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over Mossley, who turned out to be the surprise package on their indoor debut, finishing runners up.

Brown then hit four in an 8-1 win over Randalstown and Mossley’s subsequent 3-2 victory over Queen’s did Ards a favour.

In the final game Queen’s went ahead with a goal from Tori Hastings but Brown and Kerri McDonald scored after the break before Katy Aston’s leveller.

However, Brown and Amy Benson added further goals in last eight minutes to seal the win and the trophy.

Meanwhile, Pegasus are the first team through to the Irish Senior Cup semi-finals after second half goals from Alex Speers and Lucy McKee secured a 2-0 win over Old Alex in Dublin.

The postponed game between Ulster Elks and Lurgan will be staged tonight at Jordanstown (7.45pm), but no new date has been fixed for Belfast Harlequins’ clash with Pembroke.

Ulster Indoor Championship: Mossley 0 Ards 1 (C Brown); Queen’s 3 (K Aston, J McMaster 2) Randalstown 1 (CJ McDonald); Ards 8 (C Brown 4, K McDonald 2, F Kidd, F Brown) Randalstown 1 (K Coulter); Mossley 3 (K Smylie, A Desnaux, R McConnell) Queen’s 2 (J McMaster, T Hastings); Randalstown 0 Mossley 2 (Z Mcilwaine, K Smylie); Ards 4 (C Brown 2, K McDonald, A Benson) Queen’s 2 (T Hastings, K Aston)

Final placings; 1 Ards 9 pts; 2 Mossley 6; 3 Queen’s 3; 4 Randalstown 0

Irish Senior Cup quarter final: Old Alex 0 Pegasus 2 (A Speers, L McKee); Loreto 2 Monkstown 0 Hot-shot: Chloe Brown’s seven goals won another indoor title