The University College Dublin (UCD) fought well to a 1-1 draw at Holcombe Park as the hosts opened their bid to retain the EuroHockey Club Trophy.

Leigh Maasdorp’s side looked to be on their way to an important five points after Dirkie Chamberlain fired past Clodagh Cassin from Sofia Viarengo’s cross.

An entertaining first quarter followed with the better chances after Chamberlain’s strike falling the way of the Irish side.

Welsh international Beth Bingham first made a crucial tackle to put an end to a dangerous-looking attack before a square ball across the face of goal was somehow poked wide by the outstretched forward in the eighth minute.

Holcombe did, however, almost double their advantage with five minutes to play until the end of the first period after a short corner routine saw Cassin make a good save before UCD broke to win a penalty corner at the other end of the pitch.

The ‘home side’s’ transition play wasn’t at its usual excellent speed at times and left them too open on the counter – with this penalty corner a perfect example.

Luckily for Holcombe, UCD’s penalty corner routine didn’t come off as the second pass was misplaced, gifting possession back to the tournament holders who held on to head in 1-0 up at the first break in play.

In the second period, it was again UCD with the better chances.

A string of penalty corners couldn’t be converted, though the third did force a good save from goalkeeper Rose Thomas.

Heather McEwan was shown a green card with just over five minutes to play until half time, but UCD failed to capitalise during their two minutes with an extra man – with the next action coming in the 27th minute as Cassin made another good save to deny Wales captain Leah Wilkinson.

Wilkinson had gone on a mazy run to break into the circle before firing a low forehand shot across goal, with the goalkeeper stretching to keep it out.

The Irish side then won another penalty corner on the stroke of half time but couldn’t make anything of it as Holcombe were able to see out their lead until the longest break of the match.

Shortly into the second half though, the game was level.

A good move from UCD was finished off by Ellen Curran as she fired home from close range from a Sarah Patton cross.

The third quarter was exciting but balanced, with both sides having chances to take the lead after a penalty corner at either end.

UCD came closer to taking the lead as Thomas made another save from a bobbling strike, with Holcombe’s set piece effort being blocked by the number one runner.

The game was finely poised heading into the last period, and tension was growing around Holcombe Park with more and more anger directed towards the umpires as the majority-Holcombe crowd believed decisions were going against them. – particularly when a seemingly legal goal was ruled out just two minutes after the restart.

Each side again had one penalty corner in the final fifteen minutes of the match, though neither could capitalise.

Some thought Holcombe may have won it in the dying embers as a short corner effort was fired just wide of the post, but the effort was wayward and led to a nervy final two minutes.

Both sides looked to create late chances to break opposition hearts but the match petered out to a draw, leaving Pool A very open with each side on two points after one game each.

Holcombe couldn’t create the sustained pressure that saw them score so many goals in the Investec Women’s Hockey League Premier Division in 2018/19 as they finished as the joint-top scorers, and a draw was a fair result based on the quality of chances for each side.

Head Coach Leigh Maasdorp said: “It’s disappointing after we scored within the first-minute but all credit to UCD in that first half – they came out firing and we struggled to get back on the ball. It’s not the end of the world as our Pool is so open now after every team drew, so it’s all to play for.

“When we did get the possession back we created chances so it’s about taking those opportunities. That final third area is going to be crucial so we have to make those opportunities count. When the ball goes into the D [circle] we have to make sure we’re onto it before the opposition.

“The cards started to be deserved towards the end – there were some big challenges going in both ways and I think the umpires were fair – it wasn’t particularly one-sided as both teams got cards.

“The crowd was unbelievable having the drum and them singing for you, to have that behind us was great. We haven’t had this kind of atmosphere at Holcombe Park before so as the home team it’s amazing. Maybe there was a bit of over-excitement in the dressing-room around the competition, but it’s been awesome. We still have a job to do but we probably need to come down here and enjoy it a bit more – we’d been in the hotel most of the day today preparing for the match. Tomorrow we’ll get down here and see everything that there is to offer. The organisation and attention to detail with the competition has been great and I’m looking forward to the rest of the weekend.

“The sunshine adds to the atmosphere – there’s genuinely no better place than England when the sun’s shining.

“We know what to expect this time – last season we were maybe a little bit like deer caught in the headlights and that can have its pros but we’ve been here before. I feel like the opposition here in both pools are much stronger. Playing in a clubhouse environment this year is great too – it was at a school last time so there’s a different feel to it.

“Maybe [there’s more pressure on us being at home as holders]. Not for me personally but maybe for the girls. That’s the question we probably get asked most: ‘will you retain the title at home?’. That’s going to be the same as next season in the league – we’re going in as league champions so it’s going to be the same pressures that we need to play through.

“We’ve got two tough Pool games left – starting with Dinamo-COP Moscomsport tomorrow. They did really well today – they were 3-0 down and came back to 3-3 so it will be a test – they’re quite physical. Edinburgh University are another university team that probably won’t stop running so it’ll certainly be an interesting weekend.”

Pictures supplied by Andy Crawford – Crawford Media.