Mannamead 6
Oke Columbines 1
Okehampton Hockey Ladies started well, with centre-forward Jo Moppett feeding the ball out to the wings, Sandy Douglas and Hannah Whiteley, who both gave good width to the attack.
However, as Mannamead began to find their game it was their turn to press forward and cause problems to the Columbines' defence.
Debbie Pritchard and Rachel Hammett defended valiantly at the back, but they were outnumbered by the Plymouth forwards and, despite the best efforts of Sophie Whiteley in goal, Okehampton went one down. They conceded another shortly after, largely because they were defending too deep, and allowed Mannamead to come forward in numbers. Moments later Moppett picked up the ball on the half-way line and her skilful run was ended when the opposition goalkeeper rushed out, taking her as well as the ball.
Columbines came out after half-time with determination and spirit. Alex Collins and Jane Jones worked hard to stifle Mannamead in the middle of the pitch. The team were able to push forward to threaten the Mannamead goal, and their perseverance was rewarded when a loose ball fell to Douglas, who thumped it into the goal. Unfortunately, Okehampton were caught on the break shortly afterwards, for Mannamead to restore their two-goal lead.
But as Moppett continued to threaten with her individual skills, she became more of a target for the Mannamead defenders, and a nasty stick tackle aggravated her previous injury and she had to retire with what turned out to be a fractured arm.
The Columbines did their best and at times played good team hockey. Jones and Jeni Humphrey on the left developed a good understanding, playing short passes to bring the ball out of defence, but Okehampton had lost their cutting edge, and down to ten left them too vulnerable to the Mannamead counter-attack.
P and District league
Oke Ladies' Seconds 7
Callington Ladies 0
THE young Oke team took control from the start piling the pressure on the Callington defence. Right wing Grace Thorpe constantly used her pace and skill to beat her opposition and crossed some penetrating balls across the visitor's goal — one of which left wing Kim Davey pounced on for the first goal. The second goal came when centre half Sarah Jones passed to left half Rachel Laidlaw who then found centre forward Kelly Cooper; Cooper beat her defender and passed to Davey who made no mistake to beat the keeper. Sarah Jones initiated the third goal by intercepting the ball on the right side of the pitch, dodging the Callington defence and crossing a piercing ball which Davey slotted home for her hat-trick.
Hannah Whiteley, playing out wide on the left side, set up the fourth goal by passing to Davey who slotted a through ball to Kelly Cooper to hammer home into the net. The final goal of the half was netted by Cooper who intercepted a Callington hit out and went straight back into the circle and scored.
The second half began with a dazzling solo run by Cooper who collected the ball from the halfway line, dodged several Callington defenders and skillfully beat the goalie.
Callington fought back forcing some solid tackling by Brieze Reed and Nat Dennis. Full back Sophie Whiteley was very effective in turning defensive play into attacking moves which culminated in Davey scoring the final goal. Player of the match went to Kim Davey.