Tavistock 1st 9 East Devon 2 Tavistock played host to East Devon who were currently lying mid-table and with only three games of the hockey season left to play it was crucial that the home side secured a confident victory. Tavistock started the stronger side and were looking dangerous round the visitors' D and it was not long before a strong strike from Tavistock's Manley enabled Honey to play a deflected shot into the goal. This set the tone for the rest of the game and Tavistock continued to punish the away team scoring another goal from a cleverly played short corner from Vinson and Honey. A third was soon to follow from Cooley, who took the ball round the keeper to give the home side a 3-0 lead within the first ten minutes. Tavistock were now looking confident and controlling any threat that East Devon posed, with the back four of Cowen, Lethbridge, Carr and Woods all solid in their tackling. A further two goals were to follow with Vinson to slot in his second from open play and the fifth came from Rose, who took the ball round the goalkeeper to further punish the East Devon Defence. After last week's match where Tavistock gave away a 4-0 lead they were desperate not to do the same again. However, East Devon came into the second half wanting to make a game out of it and scored two quick goals in succession — both from short corners. This gave Tavistock the warning that they needed and from then on were back in control of the game. The mid-field duo of Honey and MacDougal continued to control the middle and give outlet for the strikers of Vinson and Rose who were both threatening the East Devon defence. Tavistock broke back again from a superb goal from Rose who powered home his second goal of the match from a strike at the top of the D. This then opened up the flood gates and Tavistock punished East Devon further with another three goals to follow. This convincing win has increased Tavistock's chances of promotion with only two games left to play. Man of the match was Rod MacDougal. l Next week Tavistock are away to Ashmoor where a win will secure their promotion.
