Plymouth Marjons C 3 Tavistock A 1 NEWLY promoted Tavistock Men?s Hockey 2nd XI played their first league match on Saturday, and the opening game confirmed that they will be facing much stronger opposition than last season. The younger, and mostly fitter, Marjons side started strongly and put pressure on the ball from the start. Tavistock struggled to create scoring chances in the first half and only good defensive work by Gareth George and Phil Edwards restricted Marjons to a single goal by the break. The goal itself was hotly disputed by Tavistock but was allowed to stand. The second half saw a much better Tavistock performance, particularly by captain Phil Honey and man-of-the-match James Barratt on the right flank. It was one of their moves that set up James Alford who was unfortunate to be off target with a powerful shot. A scrambled goal from a Marjons penalty corner was followed quickly by their third, an excellent reverse stick strike, again from a penalty corner. Tavistock responded well and played their best hockey in the final ten minutes of the match. Left wing Nick Andrews was rewarded with a late goal, but some quality defending by Marjons kept the final score at 3-1. Overall, an encouraging performance by Tavistock after a slightly nervous start. With key players still to rejoin the team they are confident that they will prove to be a competitive side in division South West One. Saturday: St Austell v Tavistock A (2pm, Poltair School).
