Tavistock Men's Ist 4 Bude 3 IT was the first league game of the new year for Tavistock men's hockey first team and after a heavy defeat in the cup the week before they were eager to gain some points to set the tone for the rest of the season. The game started well for the home side who were on top of the visitors from the beginning, creating plenty of chances in front of goal but not finishing off. However Bude were first to open up the scoring from a short corner . Tavistock were not disheartened by this and played good hockey, which Bude were unable to handle. Numerous short corners were awarded to Tavistock and they were finally rewarded with a strong strike from Lethbridge to equalise. Tavistock's heads now rose and they started to control the game and prevent Bude from entering the Tavistock D. Just before the end of the first half, however, Tavistock made a silly mistake in the D which Bude pounced on to take the lead just before the half time whistle. From a grilling at the half time team talk Tavistock were fired up and ready to take the game to Bude but within five minutes of the second half Bude scored another goal to increase their lead to dampen Tavistock's spirits. Tavistock's heads then dropped for a short while but the defence managed to just hold on and prevent Bude from scoring another. A glimmer of hope soon came to Tavistock though through another Lethbridge goal which raised the hope for a victory. The home side were now right back into the game and fighting for every ball. Justice was done through a sublime goal from Tavistock's new overseas signing Jeremy Rose who slotted the ball into the bottom corner. Another goal from Rose, who beat three players and smashed his shot into the top left hand corner, gave Tavistock the win and the much needed three points. This victory pushes Tavistock up to third in the league and one point off the top. Man of the match: Jeremy Rose. l Next week Tavistock play at home to Taunton Vale.
