THE home side played midtable side Exe 5 and although a chilly start, it was sunny and perfect hockey playing conditions.

Okehampton were in defiant mood from the starting whistle. Emelia Bazeley, awarded player of the match, drover the ball with speed and skill up the centre and into the opposition circle, with Viv Weatherington and Sarah Bazeley in hot pursuit. The Exe defence had to fight hard against them to deny the home team an early goal.

Exe were quick to fight back but Izzy Rowlands and Sophie Trip closed down the spaces to prevent the visitors making a break into midfield but when Exe were successful the home team’s midfield of Jane Jones, Sarah Marvin and Joey Drake marked closely and blocked the ball and clear it from the home team’s circle. Drake, was swift to take possession of any loose balls and redistribute them up the pitch to the awaiting wingers Eleanor Marvin and Annie Strawbridge.

The visitors did not make it easy for the home side, weaving the ball between and past the Okehampton players putting the defence of Lois Rowlands, Sophie Mugliston and Lisa May under pressure at times. Goalie Ella Kaye was not deterred by the challenges and single handedly ran towards the ball clearing it wide of the goal. However, Exe outplayed the defence, wrongly footing the goalie to take the lead.

Okehampton showed resilience and remained focused. They took control of the second half of the match and scored their first goal from a short corner. A fast and accurate strike to the top of the circle was struck wide towards Sarah Bazeley, she fed it back towards the goal onto the open stick of Viv Weatherington, who chipped it into the back of the net.

This was an evenly matched game and so Exe continued their challenge and soon took the score to 2-1 but Okehampton remained in fighting form and dominated the last 15 minutes of the match. Their drive and enthusiasm to score again was all too evident and they were awarded several short corners in succession.

The home side kept their focus. A direct strike on goal from Jane Jones was denied. Several fast and accurate shots followed, crossing the circle but Viv Weatherington saw the gap and confidently secured the final goal for the home side.

Okehampton left the pitch having earned a well-deserved draw.