Petroc two

Okehampton ladies’ seconds 4

Okehampton ladies’ thirds 1

OKE seconds were lying top of the table, winning every game so far this season with the third team lying a few places below them.

The first half of this good humoured game saw the teams evenly matched with the thirds playing supportive team hockey with energy and determination. They marked the key second team players tightly.

The thirds’ plan was to play the ball wide so their young wing halves Eleanor Marvin, Emilia Bazeley, Annie Strawbridge and Izzy Rowlands could use their speed to attack down the wings. The seconds reacted quickly to this plan leading to exciting end to end hockey. With no goals from either team at half time the large numbers of spectators knew they were in for a second half treat.

It was the thirds who broke the deadlock when some sharp passing around the circle from Viv Weatherington found Molly Marvin perfectly placed on the far post to crack the ball into the corner of the seconds’ net. The seconds then piled on the pressure and despite resolute defending by their opponents they were awarded a penalty corner which Alex Collins converted into their equalising goal. Their confidence soared and a shot from the top of the circle by Lucy Wiseman for the seconds forced the third’s player of the match, keeper Ella Kaye to clear the ball, but Elsa Frangleton to pounce on the clearance and score to put her team ahead.

The third goal from the seconds came from Nicky Strawbridge who dribbled the ball swiftly up the field manoeuvring the third’s defence and creating the space to hammer the ball home.

The thirds fought back passing the ball accurately around and pushing into the seconds’ circle but Rachel Adams, player of the match for the seconds at centre back, organised her defence to prevent them from conceding any more goals. Rochelle Woollacott sealed the victory for the seconds when she scored their fourth and final goal.