Tavistock Tigers 5 OPM Poppies 3 THE Tigers hockey team faced an OPM side brimming with confidence following their previous week's 8-1 victory and it showed as Tavistock started nervously. Gradually, the hard working pair of Edwards and White were able to win the ball in midfield and get the Tigers' short passing game going. OPMs took the lead with a goal from their fast moving attack. Tigers equalised when Holland got hold of a loose ball at the edge of the 'D' and lashed it home. This gave the Tigers the confidence they needed to allow the half back pair of Evans and Andrews to press on. Smallacombe put the Tigers into the lead with a goal from close range and soon after the home side went 3-1 up after Andrews's cross was well retrieved by Smallacombe. She crossed to the far post for Andrews to strike the ball home. OPMs pulled a goal back before the break with a well taken reverse shot, but this only spurred the Tigers on as Smallacombe scored her second. At half time the Tigers were encouraged to use the width more and to shorten their passing, a tactic which had brought them so much success in the first half. The second half began as Cowen Jnr moved into midfield and the energetic Holland moved into defence for the first time. The Tigers started strongly, Cowen snr sending a superb aerial ball to his son who controlled it well and shot narrowly wide. OPMs pulled a goal back after the defence failed to clear the ball at the first time of asking. Keeper Osborne made two vital saves to keep the Tigers in front. Holland put the Tigers out of reach with an amazing solo goal. Picking the ball up in defence, he ran the full length of the pitch to slot the ball under the OPM 'keeper. This was a great team performance by Tigers which also saw the welcome return to the side of Firth, following the birth of her daughter.
