Okehampton Columbines Ladies 2
Torbay Ladies 3
TORBAY, recently relegated and hungry to go up again, came with a good reputation and this was soon proved in this intense hockey league game against Okehampton Ladies played at Okehampton.
The game was played in heavy rain which hampered visibility and led to sticks leaving wet and cold hands on several occasions.
The strength of the Torbay showed itself right from the start with hard accurate passing and well-practised set pieces. Goalie Sophie Whiteley again showed her mettle by stopping a waist high shot but it was not long before Torbay scored as their attackers used the whole circle and were able to wrong-foot the defence.
A second goal came as Okehampton's defence were pulled right leaving three Torbay players to select how they put the ball into the goal. This took the score to 2-0 at half time but Okehampton knew that they were playing well and just needed to keep their confidence and shape.
The flexibility in defence which had left some gaps was also powerfully used by Okehampton with left back Sandy Douglas in particular making effective tackles on both sides with strong passes and run throughs feeding the ball to Okehampton's eager attack.
Lesley Gibson, playing centre forward in her debut game for Okehampton, and Kim Davey at right wing did several runs which gave Torbay serious concerns.
Louise Weller, Alex Collins and Sandy Douglas demonstrated good team work on the left which led to several breaks with short sharp accurate passing but all were frustrated by Torbay's excellent interceptions.
Jo Moppett made skilful runs that were blocked by determined Torbay tackling and their mutual support system but finally Jo got the ball to Lesley who slipped it past the goalie.
An attack by Torbay's left side used the far corner; skilful and swift changes of direction took the ball along the back line led to Torbay's third.
After 50 minutes a Torbay player was sent off for remarks to the umpire.
Jo Moppett, playing at right inner, again fed an attack which enabled captain Alex Collins to score for Okehampton. Despite continuing hard work by both sides this was the last goal of the match leaving the score 2-3 and Torbay the victors.
Bodmin Ladies 7
Okehampton Columbines Ladies 0
THE score-line would indicate that Okehampton were thrashed but in terms of play this was far from the case.
The visitors found themselves a player down who had withdrawn for unavoidable reasons. Bodmin had a squad of 16 who they played in and out.
It was testament to the spirit, as well as the fitness, of Okehampton's ten players that they played with determination and energy to the very end.
After a shaky start by both teams Okehampton seemed to take control with some tight passing which put Bodmin on the defensive. Bodmin managed to prevent Okehampton scoring with excellent defending which swamped attacking players. The ball was then passed out, reached the centre forward, Paulette Spry who was hanging up, who sped past Okehampton's defence to score. This appeared to be a lucky break until it happened again, and then again.
Bodmin were lethal in the Okehampton half by using speed, tight ball control and passing which left defenders trying to catch up. The speed of the attack, normally coming after Okehampton had moved up the field supporting their own assault, gave Bodmin space to manoeuvre.
Okehampton changed its tactics and tried to ensure more players hung back but their continuing efforts to score kept tempting a more confident formation. Time after time Okehampton looked certain to score.
Jo Moppett and Kim Davey created a fine partnership in which speed and dribbling virtuosity dominated. Jane Jones and Viv Weatherington gave strong and determined support in the midfield but the goal line seemed impregnable.
By half time Bodmin were leading 5-0 when the heavy rain set in as the second half started but it only served to cool the players, not to slow the play.
Eve Colton at left wing made a lot of space and strong runs by Alex Collins who won the ball at nearly every occasion combined with the whole forward line continued to make Okehampton dangerous. Sandy Douglas at left back took the ball up way past the half way line to feed the attack on several runs having tackled strongly to win it.
It did not seem possible that Okehampton would not score but never did the ball make it past that goal line. Bodmin scored twice more, once off a short corner, despite the skill of Okehampton's experienced and expert goalie, Sophie Whiteley.
As Okehampton left the field having lost 7-0 they had had an excellent game of hockey against a skilful and sporting side and could leave with heads held high.