Tavistock Ladies 1st XI 3

Plymouth Ladies 3rd XI 1

BOTH ladies hockey teams started strongly in what was meant to be a league fixture but had to be a friendly due to the lack of an umpire.

Plymouth put Tavistock under early pressure and the defence worked hard to keep the ball out.

Tavistock were awarded a number of penalty corners but were unable to convert any. Their forwards had numerous chances to score but failed to capitalise on the opportunities.

The first goal for Tavistock came midway through the first half. The ball was brought down the centre to the Plymouth 25-yard line then crossed to Laura Armstrong on the left wing. She calmly took it into the circle and did a lovely strike from the edge into the back of the net.

But within minutes Plymouth had equalised. The Tavistock defence was drawn in the right of the circle leaving a Plymouth player alone on the left to strike a fine shot. Despite a valiant dive by Sue Cork in goal, the ball squeezed in at the far post.

This bolstered Tavistock to come back strongly and not long before the end of the half they pulled ahead. Following a goalmouth scramble the ball was pushed out by a Plymouth defender straight to Judy Smallacombe who fired in a great shot.

The second half was end-to-end play. Tavistock's defensive play was better and was responsible for not allowing any more goals.

Tavistock's third goal came from a long corner. Steph Mills struck the ball across Smallacombe who swept it straight into the goal.

This was another good victory for Tavistock, the only disappointment being that no league points could be gained from it.

This week, away to Plymouth University.

Tavistock 2nd XI 1

Plymouth IV 0

THE first half was even with several good attacking moves from both sides. The Tavistock defences played well with the half line of Zoe Viggers, Sue Cork and Danielle Roberts keeping the bull clear of the Tavistock goal.

Unfortunately for Plymouth they lost a player with a badly twisted knee just before half time.

The second half saw Tavistock forwards play better together with new players Natasha Blamey and Lisa Butler playing well on the wings. There were several skirmishes in the Plymouth D with Helen Smallacombe eventually putting the winning goal away.

The defence held up for the rest of the game with Sue Cork giving some telling hits up the pitch. The final result of 1-0 was very pleasing for this young side.