Ladies 1st Team: plymouth University 1-0 Tavistock

Tavistock missed out on the chance to make the Devon Cup final with this 1-0 away defeat at Plymouth University, the only goal of the game coming inside the first two minutes.  With both teams locked so closely together at the top of South 1 it was easy to predict the game would be a close encounter and it was the home side that got the dream start with an early goal.  The students pressed the Reds defence and forced a turn on the right hand side before an early ball into the D, the Uni forward used a good first touch to move the ball away from the advancing defence before playing an improvised reverse stick push on goal, an attempt that seem to catch the Reds defence by surprise as it made its way into the corner.  Following that early goal neither side managed a clear attempt on goal for the remainder of the first half, the home side dominated early possession and were transfering the ball quickly across the back line in anattempot to breakthrough theusually solid Tavistock press.  As the half progressed Tavistock began to play their usual quick attacking hockey but both defences were looking hard to breakthrough.  The second half continued in much the same way and it wasn't until the final 10 minutes of the game that the Uni won their first penalty corner of the game, Viggers only being called upon to make one save, Tavistock were forced to reshuffle the back line when central defender Jenny Pollock suffered a clash of heads with an opposing player and was unable to continue.  Tavistock almost grabbed the equaliser when the ball fell to captain Laura Armstrong but fortunately for the home side the keeper saved well to make up for the earlier error that resulted in Armstromng's attempt on goal.  Tavistock looked the more likely side to score in the final 10 minutes winning a number of penalty corners, a change in formation meant the Reds had additional plyer in thye midfield but they were in danger of being caught on the break, a quick counter attack for the students won them a penalty corner and with that the final whistle went meaning Tavistocks chances of reaching the cup final had gone.  The Reds have the chance to bounce straight back as the two side meet again next week (10.30 start at Mount Kelly College) but this time in the league, Tavistock, currently in 2nd place sit just three points behind the students but with a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Mens 2nd Team: Tavistock A 2   PGSOB B

Tavistock battled hard to gain maximum points in this closely contested game. PG’s were sitting third in the division and fielding a very strong side looked to gain maximum points against Tavistock. Tavistock had others ideas and took the game to the visitors from the starting whistle.  With the assistance of Fenwick in midfield, Tavistock looked a composed side and worked the ball across the pitch and up both flanks. Richards and Elliott looked dangerous from the outset and it was following a flowing move through midfield that Richards scored the first.  The game ebbed and flowed both ways and following another confident attack, PG’s broke out of their defence and moved the ball at pace down the length of the pitch to equalise.  The second half started much as the first with Tavistock in control of the pitch and Elliott again worked the ball into the visitors D and slotted the ball under the keeper to take Tavistock ahead.  PG’s always looked dangerous but the defensive pairing of Stanyer and Gott looked in control and Pugsley was again commanding in goal.  Honey and Dunlop continued to work hard and were creating numerous breaks either side of the pitch.  It was after a PG’s attack that Tavistock gifted the visitors an equalising goal, following a stray hit across their own D. Within minutes Tavistock still reeling from the last goal saw a deftly deflected goal take PG’s into the lead.  The home side did not give in and continued to attack and scored what looked like a good equaliser, but were denied some points when following the goal being initially given, was curiously reversed by the other umpire!

Mens 1st Team  - Tavistock 5 Truro B 0

Tavistock men's 1st XI sealed the league title this weekend with a convincing win over Truro B. The game started well for Tavistock who pressed high up the pitch from the start turning over possession early and quickly created goal scoring opportunities. It was not long before the first goal fell with a nicely worked move from Barney Megicks who drove the ball down the opposition baseline to set up Dom Stanbury for a simple tap in. Megicks continued with this rich vein of form beating a couple of defenders and slotting the goal past the keeper following this up with a further goal to give Tavistock a healthy half time lead. The second half saw Tavistock do more defending, however strong defensive displays from Sam Stanbury and Paul Marchent kept Truro from a creating any real threats at goal. A fast counter attacking goal saw Captain Tom Honey cooley slot away his only chance of the game really putting the game to bed and out the reach of a battling Truro side. The game also finished off with Megicks capping off his hatrick with a powerfully dispatched flick from a penalty corner. This victory provides Tavistock with the league title and promotion with still four matches to play.