Mens 1st Team: PMHC 2's 3-0 Tavistock

With things so tight at the top of Conference South this was always going to be a tough game for Tavistock and things were made more diffcult with the absence of captain Tom Honey as well as Sam Willetts, Sam Blonden, Ollie Richards and Pete Chevin.  The fact that Tavistock could still field a team as strong as they did despite the players they had missing is credit to where the club currenlty is and shows the positive developmet that is taking place aross the club.  The home side took the lead when Rory Coles hit an unstopable backhand shot that left keeper Hayden Bond with no chance of saving, following the early goal inside 10 minutes the remainder of the half saw very little action in front of goal with Tavistock reduced to just one effort from a penalty corner which was saved comfortably by Blundy in goal.  The second half replicated the first half with few opportunities in front of goal but both teams moving the ball well but unable to open the opposition defence.  Unfortunately for Tavistock two late goals for the hosts scored by Longworth and Rimmer sealed all 3 points for Marjons, the win sees Tavistock now only one point ahead of Marjons as they sit in third and fourth place respectively.  A win for Teign puts them level on points with Marjons ahead of their match against each other next week while North Somerset and Exeter University drew 3-3 to stay level on points with each other and move one point ahead of Tavistock with just 4 games left.  With just 2 points seperating the top 5 team it promised to be an exciting end to the season with the top teams still having to play each other.  Next week sees Tavistock face Bridgewater at home.

 

Ladies 1s: PMHC 2 - 1 Tavistock 

After a 2 week break Tavistock ladies were looking forward to getting back on the pitch, Saturday saw them meet  Marjon L2s away. With the ladies missing a few regular players it saw a come back for Patterson and Kelly following long term injury and pregnancy. Up against a strong Marjon side the reds new it was going to be a tough game, and it didn't get any easier when centre back Evans went down with an unfortunate injury in the first 5 minutes and the ladies had to battle through the duration of the game with no subs. Tavistock worked hard and created many chances in the oppositions D but were unfortunate not to convert. Shortly after Marjons pounced on a rebound in the D and opened the score line. Tavistock started the 2nd half well knowing they needed to be clever with their game and maintain their legs. The effort from the reds couldn't be faulted and at times produced some really attractive hockey, but once again it was Marjon who took their chance and outplayed the Tavistock defence and took the score to 2-0. With Just 5 minutes remaining the ladies kept fighting and were unfortunate on a couple short comers not to convert, soon after Fenwick managed to take control of a loose ball in the D and flick it past the Marjon keepers right glove. Unfortunately it was too little too late for the away side and the game finished up as 1-2 defeat. 

 

Tavistock A 6. Truro B 0

Tavistock A rolled on with another fine win against a strong Truro side.

The A's were stretched this weekend, as the first team, who were missing players and had to be supported by 2nd team players and the 3's also needed additional players due to school fixtures.

Tavistock played some of their best hockey this season, with possession and composure being the name of the game.

The home side started strongly with great possession and movement of the ball from the back line of Marchant, Stead, Honey and Hanson. The midfield were supported by Tom Honey, whose distribution gave Tavistock a real cutting edge.

The movement of the team and the pace of the game was a major strength and Truro were struggling to get any sight of the ball.

Goals eventually started to come wth Stead using his drag flick to power in short corners and give Tavistock a deserved 2 goal lead.

Daniels was as hungry as ever and relentlessly put the Truro defence under pressure and capitalised on determination nation when he slotted his first.

The game continued in the same vein after half time and with new boy Bellamy and Donnelly showing great skill and pace and creating dangers every time they had the ball.

As is now the norm, Bott and Staig were composed and mature in their games and are now mainstays of the 2's and also showed great distribution.

Goals continued to flow with Stead slapping in his third and Daniels notching another. The game was finally concluded with another great flick from Stead following a Truro foot on the line.

The 2's were playing some of their best hockey and what is pleasing is that having to be supported by Bellamy and the skilful Walker from the 3rd team, there is a continuity of structure and style.

Next week is a challenging one with a Saturday trip to Bodmin and a rescheduled Sunday game against OPM's.