THE series of friendlies has drawn to a close and prepared Tavistock men's first hockey team for the league ahead.
Tavistock beat Okehampton in the first game of the season, with a solid and satisfying performance.
The second game was a tougher encounter against last seasons league winners OPMs. Tavistock dominated the first half and should have gone into the break more than one goal the better, but a superb strike by Matt Way was denied as it was thought to be outside the D.
Tavistock became disheartened by some of the decisions on the pitch and the momentum left their game.
Trailing 3-1 with ten minutes to go they again picked up their pace and scored their second. Tavistock were unlucky to lose this game.
The third and final friendly was against USHC who play two leagues above Tavistock. This was a fast end to end game with little rest and plenty of goals.
Tavistock scored within the first minute with a close range strike by Nick Andrews.
This did not knock US off their game as they equalised within minutes through a short corner.
Again Tavistock were dominating with their close, networking style of play. The right hand side of the pitch penetrated ceaselessly via Edwards, Honey senior and junior. Matt Way and John Barrett attacked at pace and harassed the Services defence and Lethbridge, Costello and Aveyard controlled the centre of the pitch.
Excellent goals by Way and a second by Andrews kept Tavistock ahead of a never tiring Services side.
This was a first class performance by Tavistock and should give encouragement for the coming season.
If you would like to play and are interested in joining the club, contact either Phil Honey 01822 610032 or Phil Edwards 01822 616783.