South West one

TAVISTOCK MEN’S A 2

DART 4

TAVISTOCK A looked disorganised for the opening ten minutes but fortunately for them did not concede any goals.

Team discipline reasserted itself and an even match began to play out. Both sides made quick breaks into the opposing D but it was Dart who opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a well-taken field goal. 

Four minutes later Tavistock responded with a fast break down the right. Venton saw Dee Kirwan sprint for the penalty spot and hammered the ball from 25 metres out. Kirwan skilfully deflected the ball past the keeper to even the scores.

Tavistock remained marginally on top for the rest of the first half, with Joe Risk extending their lead to 2-1 shortly before the whistle. 

Dart quickly got back into the match and both sides created opportunities. Indecisive marking allowed Dart to equalise and Tavistock briefly floundered. Dart took advantage, forcing a penalty corner and converting it to take the lead. Thereafter it was anyone’s game with both sides winning penalty corners and creating scoring opportunities.

Ultimately it was Dart who converted chances into goals, and took a 4-2 lead with 15 minutes to go. Tavistock pushed forward and never looked out of the match, creating several chances, but Dart hung on and must have felt relieved to win by a two-goal margin.

For Tavistock A Joe Rizk shone up front on the left and Tom Birchell did sterling work at right back. Tavistock’s man of the match went to Zak Kirwan.