Tavistock Pumas 1 PML 0 WITH a large group of strong players, Tavistock?s mixed hockey team were up for putting a win back on the score sheet after last week?s disappointing match. Tavistock were quick to take possession of the ball with Nick Boot-Hanford and Matt Way monopolising the middle of the pitch in order to prevent the opposition from attacking in this area. Laura Stapleton and Fiona Dunn had good games on the right as they were able to pick up key players and mark them out of the game. Tavistock had possession and were passing the ball from the left to the right hand side of the pitch with Robynne Honey and Sarah Barratt making excellent use of their speedy legs and strong determination when tackling the opposition. Tavistock had a few chances of scoring early goals but the goalkeeper was strong and prepared to take the Tavistock players on in a one on one situation. Dom Lovett played well and coupled with Jo Gaspar these two players were a real threat in the ?D?. When Laura Armstrong was on the pitch she gave some good calls in the ?D? and narrowly missed a strong strike on goal. The defence of Tavistock were not put under great pressure as Kevin Lethbridge and Fiona Dunn made some timely tackles and goalkeeper, Martin Ozbourne, did some good saves and reminded the Tavistock players to pick up unmarked players in the ?D?. With Way and Chris Wilson working well together the ball was yet again brought into the attacking 25 yd area. Lovett and Armstrong tried to sneak the ball into the goal but were obstructed by a defender resulting in a short corner being awarded to Tavistock. Way pushed the ball out and Stapleton was on the top of the ?D? and took a hefty strike right down the side of the goal mouth. This confident goal allowed Tavistock to remain the dominant team for the remainder of the first half. The second half of the match saw a much similar picture to that of the first. With the fresh legs of James Barratt and Tom Honey on the pitch, Tavistock were able to maintain the speed and determination from the first half. Robynne Honey and Sarah Barratt worked together in order to create opportunities for Lovett and Gaspar in the ?D?. Yet again the defence of Tavistock was strong with Dunn and Lethbridge making early tackles in order to prevent major attacks. Through the midfield, Wilson, Barratt and Stapleton worked hard and moved around the pitch in order to prevent their opposition from having too much space. The Pumas did have numerous goal scoring opportunities but they just could not be capitalised on. The final score was a well deserved 1-0 victory to Tavistock who were pleased with this week?s performance and determination on the pitch. Tavistock: Martin Ozbourne, Kevin Lethbridge, Fiona Dunn, James Barratt, Laura Stapleton, Chris Wilson, Matt Way, Nick Boot-Hanford, Sarah Barratt, Robynne Honey, Jo Gaspar, Dom Lovett, Laura Armstrong, Tom Honey. Player of The Match: Laura Stapleton.
