Conference South

North Devon 2

Tavistock 2

TAVISTOCK’s Hockey Club’s first team made the trip to North Devon missing six first team regulars, and with Chevin, Willetts, Blonden, Carr, Langton and skipper Honey all unavailable, it meant first team debuts for Josh Reynolds and Mount Kelly student Jacob Staig.

The league leaders looked the more likely to open the scoring, creating a number of chances in front of goal; the home side’s defensive set up of players behind the ball allowed Tavistock to play with just three and at times two in defence, allowing Staig and Berry to try and have an impact on the game higher up the pitch.

Despite the possession and territorial advantage it was the home side who took the lead when a shot crept past Bond at his near post following a rare visit for the hosts into the Tavistock D.

 The sides went into the half time break level at 1-1 thanks to a clever reverse stick finish from Tavistock’s Mark Forshaw.

Tavistock took a 2-1 lead mid-way through the second half when Fenwick and Richards linked well at a penalty corner with the latter setting up the player coach for a simple finish.

Tavistock had a number of opportunities to claim their third goal but were finding the North Devon keeper tough to beat. With nine minutes remaining the home side were awarded a penalty stroke following the ball hitting a Tavistock foot on the line from a penalty corner strike at goal.  The stroke was converted and the game finished 2-2.  

The point was enough to move Tavistock clear at the top of the league after Exeter University’s defeat agaisnt Plymouth Marjon.

n This Saturday Tavistock host fourth placed North Somerset.