St Austell 3 Okehampton Columbines Ladies 3 OKEHAMPTON is top of the ladies' hockey league but the fight for second place shows in the calibre of the play as the season nears its end. On a fine Saturday in St Austell the home team were well trained and raring to win. Accurate passing and good positioning by St Austell meant that Okehampton struggled to take the initiative. The game moved from end to end and side to side; all players were engaged in a hard and testing struggle. Despite the energy, determination, several short corners and chances to both sides, at half time there was no score. Carol Taylor standing in as goalkeeper for Okehampton had had to make several saves and the away side knew they had to up their game. The first goal in the second half was a good shot at a tight angle by St Austell. Within minutes they scored their second and Okehampton were 2-0 down. Pushed almost to bordering on the reckless Okehampton again attacked and Jo Moppett tapped in a pass from Viv Weatherington. The equaliser came when Jo Drake swooped on a ball that had bounced off the post. St Austell then scored again off a shot corner. The score was 3-2 and there were only a few minutes to go. Jo Drake, who had led many attacking movements, slipped a ball to Jo Moppett who sneaked it under the goalie so that it rolled into the goal. Before play could restart the final whistle went on this exciting game leaving the score at 3-3. l This week Okehampton are away to Plym Valley Seconds.
