St Austell 1 Okehampton Columbines 4 IN the last league game before Christmas, Okehampton ladies played a good game of hockey to secure a comfortable win. In a bitterly cold wind, Okehampton moved the ball around the pitch well. Jane Jones defended terrier-like at left half and with the support of Sandy Douglas behind her St Austell made little headway down their right flank. It was not long before Jo Moppett broke away in the centre and carved through the St Austell defence for her first goal. Her second came shortly before half-time from a well-struck corner which the St Austell defender reached but could not prevent from crossing the line. The match became scrappy and physical at the beginning of the second half, and for the first time St Austell got back into the game. Some excellent defending by Abi Colton and Jeni Humphrey broke down the attack, but Sophie Whiteley had to make some crucial saves in the Okehampton goal. A well-worked team effort with the midfield pushing forward for Columbines found Jo Moppett free in the circle, and she fired her third past the goalkeeper. With Okehampton now playing flowing, fast hockey they found plenty of space with good movement off the ball, particularly from Jo Drake and Hannah Whiteley, who had an outstanding second half on the right wing. It was Whiteley who set up Viv Weatherington for the fourth goal when a sublime pass by Moppett was crossed calmly by Whiteley for an easy tap in. St Austell did not give up and were rewarded with a consolation goal in the dying minutes. l Okehampton play again in the league against Paignton on January 5 at home.
