Okehampton Columbines Ladies' Hockey Club 2
Morgarow 6
ON a hot October afternoon Okehampton met Morgarow from St Ives for a fast moving game.
Okehampton were weakened by several injuries and players moved on and off the pitch as heat exhaustion or painful knees and tendons demanded.
While play felt even Morgarow's attacks left Okehampton struggling to get their shape and 25 minutes into the first half the score was 3-0 to Morgarow. Fierce and effective through passing by the Cornwall team was backed up by devastatingly effective short corners.
Okehampton's spirits were raised when Jo Moppett took the ball through numerous defenders, ably supported by her team mates, to get the score to 3-1.
Any confusion through both sides wearing purple was common to both teams and both were swapping players around. Okehampton drew breath at half time and came back with a new determination which meant they had more control of the field.
The teamwork of Sophie Cunningham, Katie Graves and Rachel Hammett on the right wing was particularly effective and was marked by tenacity and steadiness of purpose.
Morgarow continued to find spaces in the defence with swift passing and hard balls. The score steadily crept up despite excellent saves by both Rachel Hammett and goalie Sophie Woodley, including a high flier that Sophie just managed to get her hand to.
With the score at 6-1 and only minutes to play a breakthrough on the left wing and some good short passing amongsthe forwards gave Jo Moppett a clean shot at goal to bring the score for Okehampton's second just before the final whistle.
Okehampton knew they were playing one of the top teams in the new league and will be strengthened by this experience early in the season.
Okehampton's next game is away to Plymouth University on October 25.