Tavistock Pumas 1 OPM 1 PUMAS mixed hockey team knew they needed some points from this game. They opened the match well with strong attacking play from Dom Lovett and Laura Armstrong, both of whom took numerous shots in the D but were thwarted by the opposition?s defence. With Chris Wilson and Shane Lovett distributing well through midfield it appeared as if the Pumas should be winning hands down. But OPM were quick to intercept the ball from players. It was up to the strong tackling skills of Fiona Dunn, Kevin Lethbridge and Jo Gaspar to prevent OPM from making any dominant attack. Goalkeeper Martin Ozbourne made some excellent saves and allowed the Pumas to stay in the match by indicating which players needed marking out of the game. Robynne Honey, Dunn and Dom Lovett worked well together on the right but were not used more as far too often the ball was sent down the middle of the pitch or down the left. Gaspar and Armstrong played the ball well to each other and it was only pace on it when it reached the D that prevented the Pumas from making any dominant attack. At half-time the score was 0-0 and Pumas knew they were going to have to raise the standard of their game if they were to have a fighting chance of winning. The opposition had a lucky break in the second half and the Pumas were outnumbered in the D, allowing OPM to score a good goal. Minutes later the tables were turned as Nick Boot-Hanford had a lovely run up the pitch with the ball and slotted the ball high into the top corner of the goal. This lifted the spirits and Pumas kept working hard despite still not using the strength of all their players and switching the ball from left to right. The opposition kept trying to work their way into the D but Dunn, Gaspar and Honey made good tackles. Their final match is against CSD this Wednesday July 27 at Ivybridge with an 8pm start.