Okehampton Men's Hockey A 3

Tavistock Men's B 3

OKEHAMPTON A faced rivals Tavistock B in the final week of the league season knowing that a victory for either side would lift them above each other.

With so much on the line both teams started at a frantic pace producing a fast, open and end to end game. The game was going to guarantee goals, as it was, the visitors were the first to score when they were awarded a short corner; this was initially well stopped by Okehampton captain Ian Miller but Tavistock were alert to the rebound and Nick Andrews slotted into the net.

The goal prompted the Oke side to step up a gear and enjoyed a sustained period of pressure with Toby Lloyd on the right and Nick Luxton on the left causing the Tavistock defence problems.

Okehampton's equaliser came after the Tavistock goalkeeper went for a tackle and took out the Oke forward to give Okehampton a penalty flick, which Miller converted into the bottom left of the goal.

Boosted by the goal Oke went on the rampage for a second having numerous chances at the Tavistock goal; they found their second coming from a Nick Luxton short corner which had too much power for the Tavistock keeper.

The second half started with Tavistock taking control of the game and scored the equaliser after Oke keeper Pete Sim made a succession of saves but the persistence of Tavistock paid off. Matt Edwards's superb cross set up James Tosdevin, whose goal made it 2-2.

The game started to take a rhythm of Okehampton controlling the possession and Tavistock looking to break at every opportunity but it was the home side who took the lead again this time with Lloyd scoring a short corner.

Oke looked solid for the most part with Will Spry and John Yells holding the back line well and Rob Yells, Dave Hanks and Brett Lawson controlling the midfield.

However Oke did have a moment of laxness when they were unable to make a tackle and Tavistock made the most of the poor defending with Nick Andrew's strike being seen in by Ross Reid.

The game ended 3-3 keeping Okehampton above Tavistock in the table but both teams went away happy after this epic and enjoyable encounter. Okehampton A will now go into the summer break with the intention to go into the next season hoping for bigger and better things next year.

South division one

Tavistock Men's first 3

Chard 2

WITH Tavistock third from bottom and Chard chasing promotion to premier three it was the Somerset side who started favourites.

Tavistock fielded many players under 18 but started with a passion that slowly put doubt in the minds of the away side.

The home back line of Lethbridge, Wood, George and Bellard cut out any chance of the away side getting close to the D.

On the odd chances that fell to the away side it was keeper Mingo who made many fine saves and confident challenges.

Then Tavistock showed why they are destined to stay in South division one. With many fine balls starting from the back, build-up play through the halves of Richards, Jeffery, Mills, Vinson and D Richards saw Tavistock pressing from all directions.

Forwards Edwards and Doney made a well worked goal for Richards but Chard came back instantly with a goal of their own.

In the second half there was more fine play from the home side and a pinpoint cross from Vinson to Jeffery to make it 2-1 to Tavistock.

Again Chard replied with another goal but the confidence of Tavistock was stronger and the desire was to win.

After a short corner awarded to Chard the home side thanked Lethbridge's out reached stick turned the ball over the top of the bar and land on the top of the net.

Tavistock then took control of the game creating pass after pass with great link up play by all the players on the pitch forging forward at every opportunity. From a short corner to Tavistock Lethbridge fired home to cement the vicctory.

This was a great game to watch and a well deserved victory for the home team.