Bude A 2
Tavistock A 3
THE teams were desperate to gain points from this game and it showed in the determination of both sets of players. With Bude sitting at the foot of the table and Tavistock placed three positions above but with a reasonable points difference, a home win would have closed the gap and led to a highly nervous end to the season for the visitors.
The game started at pace, with Tavistock dominating possession and the game flowing well through the midfield. Bude were always dangerous on the break and were playing some good skilful hockey. One of the attacks resulted in a penalty corner, which was expertly flicked into the net, away from the despairing dive of Osborne.
Tavistock did not take this lying down and responded well to the disappointment. Still linking well from the back four, the attacking centre back of Bellard, was pouncing on any loose ball.
Costello, George and Bradley were marshalling the defensive duties well for Tavistock and bringing in the pace of Cowen and Daniels on either flank into play, resulting in debutant Simmons notching the equaliser. Bude were continuing to break quickly and during the melee of an injury driven substitution, they again slotted a well taken goal to give themselves the lead.
Bringing on fresh legs on the Tavistock right saw Honey linking well with the flowing and dangerous Copeland and during another dynamic attack, Edwards senior drove the ball into the net and powered in an equaliser just before the whistle.
Harry MacManus, making his first appearance for the side, was very impressive as right back and showed great strength in his tackles and confidence beyond his years.
After the break Tavistock handled the pressure from Bude well and were rewarded when they notched a third via Copeland in a goalmuoth scramble. Doney and Edwards Jnr continued to create problems up front for Bude and Tavistock were continually in the hunt for the fourth goal.
Bude never gave up the pressure but Tavistock were well in control and rarely looked like conceding another goal until a short corner breakout found the Tavistock keeper playing on his own and bravely saving the day and the points. Tavistock man of the match was Martin Osborne.
l Tavistock have a tough encounter this weekend coming against Penzance first XI.