Friendly

Okehampton Columbines 3

Okehampton Men's seconds 1

WITH the Okehampton all weather pitch resurfacing not yet complete, Okehampton hockey players travelled to Tavistock to use the pitch at Kelly College for this early season friendly fixture.

The men's team started strongly and moving the ball around quickly soon put the ladies' goal under pressure, with both Jacob Lloyd and Simon Bourne having early chances to score.

The ladies' defence, bolstered by guest appearances from Jeff Stephens and Martin Jones, survived the early onslaught. With the Oke Men wasting a host of short corners against the run of play the ladies took the lead.

Midway through the half, with some lacklustre men's defending, the evergreen Viv Weatherington found herself one on one with the keeper which she coolly slotted home the opening goal.

Chris Searle worked hard in the central midfield role for the men, and providing a good link between forwards and backs, pushed the men forwards again to create more chances, but Sophie Whiteley in the ladies goal made some good saves to keep the ball out.

The ladies went further ahead from a short corner when Weatherington snuck in to deflect the ball into the back of net. Just before half time, Weatherington completed her hat-trick when she brushed aside the men's defence yet again and then tipped the ball around Pete Sim in the men's goal.

At the start of the second half the men's, who came with more determination, were rewarded when Jake Lloyd went around the ladies' defence to give himself  a scoring chance which he gladly converted.

Carol Taylor and Sandy Douglas tackled well in the ladies defence, and James Speak had a good game in defence for the men. The game finished 3-1 with the ladies looking to build on this for the league season to come, and despite the score line, there were definite positives for the men's seconds to take from this match.

It is hoped that the pitch in Okehampton will be completed and be ready for use by the end of September allowing both clubs to resume their normal training (men on Tuesdays and ladies on Wednesdays) and Saturday match schedules.

Junior training session will also resume on Saturday mornings as soon as the pitch is available.

• Any new players, coaches or umpires wanting to be involved in hockey in the Okehampton area should contact Richard Jones on 01837 810167