South West one

TAVISTOCK A MEN 1

PLYMOUTH UNIVERSITY B 5

PLYMOUTH University A was the most organised and practised team Tavistock has met this season. For 15 minutes they relentlessly attacked Tavistock, moving the ball fast and accurately. Only Bertie McErlaine in goal kept Tavistock alive, making a series of valiant saves.

University finally scored after 16 minutes, following with a second nine minutes later. Tavistock began to make a few breaks but ultimately did well to reach half-time 2-0 down.

The match barely resumed before University launched another attack, and a rout seemed possible. Tavistock rallied however and began stringing passes together. Eight minutes in they broke into the University scoring zone. Dom Walker drove into the D, creating an opportunity that Solly Kurtzman finished, putting Tavistock on the scoreboard.

Undaunted the visitors kept up the pressure. The big difference was a series of penalty corners which provided the opportunity for them to display how hard they have practised. They converted three of the six penalty corners awarded to them in the remainder of the game, giving them a 5-1 win at the final whistle.

Tavistock’s players worked incredibly hard throughout the game and deserved a goal, but once more were drawn too far to one side, leaving half the pitch open for University to exploit. They need the discipline to use the whole pitch before they can compete with a side as organized as University A. 

James Lamb, Benjamin Whitehead and Thomas Birchell get a mention for good, solid performances, but their man of the match goes to Bertie McErlaine who was outstanding.