Tavistock ladies 4

Okehampton ladies 2

This week saw the local derby of Tavistock ladies firsts against Okehampton ladies firsts, with both teams sitting in the top quarter of South Division One, the game was set to be a thriller.

Oke started the stronger team settling into their game and soon taking the lead when Jo Moppett put a perfectly placed pass across the Tavistock goal for Molly Petherbridge to pop onto the net. Within a few minutes Moppett again showed her lightening speed and dazzling stick work to score from top D to make it 2-0 to Okehampton within four minutes.

Tavistock response was to retaliate with fast flowing hockey moving the ball at speed around the pitch stretching the Oke defence.

Possession started to turn over and attacks started to build from midfielders Armstrong, Fenwick and Patterson. A penalty corner was awarded to Tavistock, the ball was pushed out to captain Armstrong who struck the ball in with a hard hit to make it 2-1.

The home side had to work tirelessly to break down the powerful Okehampton  counter attacks. Keeper Viggers controlled the defensive line and made several strong saves.

The next goal came from open play, Fenwick struck the ball, which the Okehampton keeper got a pad to, several short passes in front of goal followed with Lamb finally getting the ball over the line to make it 2-2.

With the score line so close both teams started the second half with pace and determination. Following an Okehampton foot in the D a penalty corner was awarded to the home side; the ball was moved out from Fenwick to Armstrong who struck the ball at great pace and a deflection from the Okehampton defender made it 3-2 to Tavistock.

With Okehampton's speedy turn of pace the ball was soon back down the other end of the pitch, putting pressure on Mills-Hicks, Langsford, Kelly and Colston, who managed to make several saves off the line.

Some lovely balls from the defence to Laura Colwill saw pacey attacks up the left of the pitch.

The final goal followed with a ball to Lamb who made a decisive run to the back line, popped the ball to Fenwick who chipped the ball into the back of the net. 4-2 to Tavistock.

The dying minutes of the game saw final attempts from Okehampton to narrow the score line but strong tackles from Pollack, Kelly and White kept the ball out of danger.

Oke's player of the match defender Rachel Hammett.

This was a good spirited battle against locals Okehampton saw Tavistock come out on top.