Essanians 8
Okehampton Columbines 5
OKEHAMPTON Ladies' hockey team had their first taste of life in the Trelawney division 1 in what turned out to be an extraordinary game.
The team started too tentatively and it was not long before Essanians had gone into a three-goal lead.
Brave goalkeeping from Sharon Stephens kept the scoreline down. Kelly Cooper pulled one back and another goal brought it back to a 3-2 scoreline.
Columbines sorted out their defensive frailties and Elaine Morgan and Sandy Douglas had strong games. Jo Stephens and Carol Taylor also worked hard at the back.
But Essanians' tall, strong centre forward was hard to mark and was pivotal to their team's game, so much so she scored seven of their eight goals.
When Columbines were going forward they looked equally dangerous, and Jo Moppett and Cooper were strong in attack, with Moppett scoring a powerful solo goal.
Sue Stanbury was influential in the middle and added to the Columbines' tally of goals.
Okehampton never gave up and it was a more equal and close-fought game than the score suggests.
This week Columbines are at home in the league to Marjon from Plymouth.