Okehampton Columbines Ladies 3 Newton Abbot Ladies 1 OKEHAMPTON took advantage of their unassailable lead at the top of the league to bring in players from their wider squad in this penultimate league hockey match against Newton Abbot. Surface water from the heavy drizzle created unpredictable ball play. These were not the conditions for subtlety and even good strikes could fizzle out long before reaching the intended destination. These were conditions more similar to Newton Abbot's home ground so it suited their style more than the quick short passing of the Okehampton team. The first half was fairly evenly matched; Jo Moppett got the first goal for Okehampton. Newton Abbot equalised and the teams went in at half time at 1- 1. Sophie Cunningham, in her debut league match, had to come off following a nasty blow to the hand and a really determined Hannah Whiteley came back onto the pitch to make some good runs and challenges on the right wing to create some real chances. Jo Drake used the whole width of the pitch helping keep the pressure on and with good team work Jo Moppett scored again. Okehampton kept the pressure up but Newton Abbot could still blast through. Sophie Whiteley had some hectic moments in goal but determinedly kept everything out. Abi Colton used her long legs to sprint from the back line to the half way line and prevented several attacks from Newton Abbot's left wing and turn them to Okehampton's advantage. Jane Jones blocked well at left half and skilfully supported the many dangerous attacking movements of Okehampton. Both sides had several short corners; Jo Moppett scored with a splendid strike for her and Okehampton's third goal. The game finished 3-1 to the Columbines and everyone, including the noble umpires, squelched their way off. l Okehampton's last league match is away at Penzance on April 5.
