Okehampton Columbines Ladies' Hockey 5

Exeter University 3

OKEHAMPTON Ladies met the young and well-coached Exeter University side at home in an exciting and fast paced game. The University scored first with a ball that slipped gently through several defenders, none of whom could quite reach it.

Okehampton surged back; the midfield playing a smart game through positioning and swift passes. This gave the forwards their chance and a through ball from Jo Moppet was given the final necessary tap by Lesley Bingham, right on the post.

Exeter over-committed themselves in attack and a ball from Louise Weller to Alex Collins and onto Jo Moppet gave Jo acres of space. The frantic University defence could not catch her, calmly wrong-footing the goalie Jo put Okehampton to lead, 2-1 at half time.

The game remained finely balanced and Okehampton successfully defended several short corners, runners Carol Taylor, Brieze Read controlling the play. Eventually a well placed shot by the University side gave goalie Viv Weatherington, who had cleared several shots with ease, no chance.

Exeter scored again but the Okehampton side played up to the challenge. Jane Jones, player of the match, played various positions and blocked the attack, moving the ball around giving Jo Moppet the chance to equalise.

Amanda Sims in mid-field also did stirling work, her speed foiling some set pieces from the University. Kim Davey, slightly frustrated on the right, soared through the air to snatch a ball at the edge of the circle. The defender, missing the ball, smashed into Kim's legs but she managed, as she went down, to strike the ball into the circle. Lesley Bingham leapt forward and scored. It was fantastic piece of play combining gut, determination and great skill by both Okehampton players.

Another short corner to Okehampton went from Joey Drake to Jo Moppet to Jane Jones to Lesley Bingham to score again.

Okehampton play away next week against Dawlish.