Pumas 1

OPMs 1

TAVISTOCK Pumas mixed hockey team played the return fixture against OPMs on Wednesday knowing revenge would be on the opposition's mind.

Changing team format, the Pumas were more tactically astute with the midfield of Joe Hess, Mathew Way, Emma Bowden and James Alford linking well not only to stifle the opposition but also take the attack to the opponents. Only good goalkeeping prevented the strike force from being three up by the first half.

Against the run of play the Pumas conceded a goal against a well-struck corner which left keeper Martin Osborne stranded just before half-time.

Grinding out a result was all important and darting runs from Christian Miller, Judy Smallacombe and Becky Hutton kept the pressure on the opposition on their toes with any voyage into the home defence snuffed out by Becky Wallace and Fiona Dunne.

A tactical substitution in the second half to bring on the youthful Ricky Bellard generated more emphasis to get the leveller.

This was struck with some magical stick control between the legs by Ricky that brought the equalising goal with minutes to go.

Congratulations to the whole team for a great fighting effort.

Tavistock Pumas 5

Wrigleys 2

PLAYING their second game in three days the Pumas knew that a win would ensure their top of the table status and reverted back to their attacking format.

Strikers Judy Smallacombe, James Alford and Becky Hutton were soon peppering the opposition goalmouth from the start. Wrigley's — while the name suggests soft and chewy — were a physical side and it took the hard 'men' of the Pumas, Joe Hess, Fiona Dunn and Rob Kirby to curtail them.

Unbelievably, the Pumas conceded a farcical goal when the goalmouth was left empty.

The midfield trio of Sharon Jeffrey, Phil Edwards and Emma Bowden dominated proceedings and it was not long before Smallacombe opened the Pumas' account with a well-struck goal much to the delight of the travelling supporters.

A further goal from Nick Andrews was cancelled out by another softly conceded goal to end the first half level on two apiece.

The Pumas dominated the second half with a reflex snap shot by Smallacombe to send the Pumas into the lead, which was extended by the return of Carl Jeffrey from a strike from the top of the D.

The final goal was created and scored by debutant winger Nick Hanford following good interlinking play and lifting the ball over the stranded keeper.

An excellent performance from this young man who was not overawed by the occasion.