Ottery Crickets 5
Tavistock 3
TAVISTOCK men's hockey firsts entered the Christmas break with a disappointing defeat against St Austell, but remain in touch with joint leaders Plymouth University A and PGSOB A.
Saturday's friendly away to Ottery Crickets gave Tavistock the chance to see how they fared against opponents from a higher division — Ottery are third in division South 1, two divisions above Tavistock. Missing captain, vice-captain and both full backs, Tavistock started as the underdogs.
A makeshift back-line of Edwards, Cowan and Thomas did well to limit the home side to a single goal in the first half.
With performance more important than the result, Tavistock played good hockey and showed how far they have advanced in recent years.
Three good goals from Nick Andrews, John Barratt and Guy Barnes saw Tavistock lead 3-1 with ten minutes to play.
Intense pressure from Crickets won them a succession of penalty corners from which they scored twice to level.
Trying to push forward, Tavistock gave the Ottery forwards too much space and conceded two goals in the dying minutes.
Tavistock's man of the match award was shared three ways due to excellent performances from Phil Edwards, Nick Aveyard and Christian Oliver.
Tavistock's next match is January 12 against Plymouth at home.