Tavistock Ladies' firsts 3 Exeter and Culm Vale Hornets 1 THIS was the team's first league match since Christmas and with only the bare 11 players and with some recovering from injury and illness, the team knew they were going to have to work hard to secure the win. The game opened with Tavistock making some dominant attacks upon the opposition. The first goal came within minutes of the umpire's whistle as Fiona Dunn won the ball and drove it up the pitch where she crossed to Jo Gaspar, who was on top of the 'D'. Sarah Barratt gave an excellent call and Gaspar was swift in her distribution to Barratt who neatly slotted it past the keeper. Lisa Butler and Laura Stapleton were working hard in defence for Tavistock and despite getting injured they battled on and never gave up. The ball was much on the right hand side of the pitch and at times it looked like it was never going to go over to the left. However, when it did Laura Armstrong made some good runs up the pitch and linked well with Judy Miller who had some near misses on goal. The second goal came for Tavistock as Gaspar had a hefty shot at the keeper. Despite Tavistock being in the lead, the opposition were picking up their game and it did seem as if Tavistock were resting on their laurels slightly. Tavistock start after the interval with an excellent goal from Armstrong. Sarah Holton had an excellent second half and really battled well and put in some good tackles. Susannah Boulle was as strong as ever in defence and linked well with Barratt and Stapleton. A gap in the middle of the pitch saw the opposition score an easy goal but it was excellent goalkeeping skills from Tavistock's Zoe Viggers that prevented any more goals from being scored. Becky Lamb had played well but had to leave the pitch with an injury and so for the last 15 minutes Tavistock had to work hard to defend that bit extra to hold off the opposition. Despite a penalty corner being awarded just as the final whistle went, Tavistock held firm and Lisa Butler cleared it easily out of the 'D'. Tavistock: Zoe Viggers, Fiona Dunn (captain), Lisa Butler, Laura Stapleton, Susannah Boulle, Laura Armstrong, Becky Lamb, Sarah Barratt, Sarah Holton, Judy Miller, Jo Gaspar. l This week Tavistock are away in Exeter playing Exe thirds at 12.30pm.
