Okehampton Ladies 3
Culm Vale Hornets 1
OKEHAMPTON Ladies Hockey team had to raise their game this week to fend off stiff opposition from Culm Vale Hornets in the semi final of the Honiton Summer Ladies Hockey Tournament.
Both teams had high hopes of reaching the final, leading to the game being played at a fast pace with end to end hockey.
The Culm Vale team was a balance of youth and experience who combined well to provide the Okehampton team with a tough challenge. The weather was warm and humid forcing both teams to make full use of their rolling substitutes.
In the first half the teams were equally matched. Okehampton worked hard with Sarah Jones controlling the midfield and attackers Kim Davey and Jo Moppett creating scoring chances only to be thwarted by the solid Culm defence. Culm had some quick and skilful attackers who kept Okehampton keeper Jennie Humphry on her toes forcing some crucial saves. The deadlock was broken when Okehampton defender Brieze Reed cleared the ball from deep in her own half to find Jo Moppett. Moppett cleverly dodged the Culm defenders and the Culm keeper. Moppett kept her cool, drew the keeper off her line and popped the ball past her to put Okehampton in the lead at half time.
Culm began the second half with renewed determination. When Jane Jones tackled a Culm attacker and gained possession deep in the Okehampton half, Moppett was looking for a break. A long pass from Jones found Moppett on the half way — she made a blinding solo run outwitting Culm defence to score Okehampton's second goal.
Culm retaliated by pushing all their players into attack forcing Okehampton to play defensive hockey. Carol Taylor dropped back and defended valiantly to stem the Culm barrage. Unfortunately Culm found a gap to push through and score.
Okehampton were relieved when Kim Davey broke away and scored a third for Okehampton and sealed a place in the final against hosts Honiton.