Tavistock Ladies First 1

Newquay First 2

TAVISTOCK ladies 1st XI hockey team played their first league game of the season last weekend.

Newquay, who had been relegated at the end of last season, set off at a fast pace and within five minutes had scored their first goal. A fine effort by Julie McGowan could not prevent the ball getting into the back of the net.

Tavistock began to settle. Katherine Collar had a good game in centre midfield and distributed the ball well. Sue Cork had some good runs down the right wing and put in some good crosses.

Tavistock were awarded a number of penalty corners but were unable to turn them into goals.

Newquay passed the ball around well and were able to come through the midfield and threaten the goal, but solid defending by Johnson, Horton and Dunn allowed no further goals in the first half.

Tavistock came out with more determination after the break. Again they were awarded numerous penalty corners but no goals were forthcoming.

Tavistock held Newquay back in their half for long spells and had many chances but the ball just kept going wide of the goalmouth.

Newquay fought back and were rewarded with a second goal.

Tavistock kept up the pressure and their persistence paid off with Steph Mills passing the ball into the circle, where Collar fired a shot at goal for it to rebound to Judy Smallacombe, who made sure of her shot into the back of the net.

Tavistock look forward to this week's game against Essanians at Saltash School, 2.30 push-back.

l Tavistock Ladies Seconds hockey team did not have a good start to the season, losing their first three matches.

The opening game against Plymouth Fourths was a good match with Plymouth making the most of their goalscoring chances. The scoreline of 4-1 to Plymouth reflected this.

The second game against a good Kelly side was a good match, with Kelly capitalising on their scoring chances.

Well done to the Tavistock keeper Ann Hodgeson who bravely volunteered to play with little experience. The scoreline of 5-0 does not reflect the pace of the game as both sides had equal opportunities.

The third game against Bude saw Tavistock a more settled side which played well in the first half making good attacking moves and defending well.

The score at half-time of 3-2 to Bude reflected this free flowing match.

Unfortunately, in the second half Tavistock ran out of steam and allowed Bude to put away two more goals. Goalscorer for Tavistock: Sue Gawman.

The fourth match against Essanians showed a more determined Tavistock have most of the play and numerous penalty corners but the strikers were unable to make the most of them.

The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Goalscorers for Tavistock: Sarah Creates and Sarah Glynn.

The fifth game against Mannamead Fourths played in atrocious weather gave Tavistock their first win of the season. The team are playing well together and learning from the mistakes made in previous matches.

New player Cath Collar scored a hat-trick with goals from Laura Armstrong, Helen Smallacombe and Judy Smallacombe. The score of 6-1 will hopefully give Tavistock the boost they need for the next few games.