Tavistock 8

PGSOB 0

BOTH Tavistock men's first team and Plymouth Grammar School Old Boys contributed well to an enjoyable and entertaining hockey game for the spectators despite the freezing conditions at Mount Kelly.  

Tavistock had the better of the early attempts on goal although both teams looked confident in attack and caused the defences to work hard to deny the opening goal. However, it was the Reds' utility player Ollie Richards who scored the opening goal with a powerful shot that deflected in the goal via the inside of the post. It was Richards' midfield partner Andy Berry who scored the second when he lifted the ball past the defenders on the line, after a quick attacking move from the home side.

Tavistock aimed to keep their usual high tempo to their play but were unable to use their bench as normal, being without first team regulars Sam Stanbury, Dom Stanbury and forwards Henry Chamberlain and Will Jones — giving Ryan Passmore the chance to impress in the front line.  

PGSOBs still looked capable of scoring and were forcing the Tavistock back line of Carr, Wood, Marchant and Hutchings to be on top of their game. The visitors' best chance came from a penalty corner when Dan Hussey flicked but keeper Matt Graham was equal to the attempt.  Forward Si Fenwick grabbed two goals before the break — the first following a pass from Barny Megicks and the second was a shot into the roof of the net from the edge of the D.  

The second half replicated the first half, both sides looking good in attack but Tavistock being the stronger in defence. Fenwick completed his third hatrick of the season from a penalty corner, soon after Megicks won a penalty stroke after being taken out by the PGSOB's keeper, Megicks was then given the opportunity to score from the spot, which he did with a composed finish flicking the ball in to the bottom left corner. Andy Berry scored again with what is turning out to be his trademark goal, following more quick attacking down the right, Berry timed his run into the D to perfection to receive the ball unmarked and fire past the keeper.  

With just two minutes remaining skipper Tom Honey decided to get in on the act with a fine solo effort, beating two players before hitting an unstoppable shot into the visitors' goal.  

The win keeps Tavistock nine points clear of second place ISCA after 12 games.