South West one

Plympton Grammar School Old Boys 2

Okehampton faced a strong, experienced PGSOB team at home on a cold Saturday morning. With layers shed, the team were ready to start the challenge.

PGSOB started strongly and took Okehampton by surprise with some good attacking opportunities. Their fast attackers and well trained moves resulted in an early goal for the away team. However, Okehampton bounced back strongly, playing good hockey with strong confident passes around the pitch. Supported in goal by Jimmy Lewis-Humbert, after seven years away from the keeper’s kit, he showed his skills had not been forgotten by making some outstanding saves.

The midfield area was closed down by the grit and perseverance of Jake Lloyd and Neil Rowlands keeping the opposition at bay. Oke kept the pressure on the PG’s defence with their attacking force, led by Stuart Jarvis and Toby Lloyd. By the end of the first half, although Okehampton were still trailing, the game was ripe for the taking after some near misses by Jarvis and Angus Cunningham.

Okehampton started with promise after a rousing team talk from captain Tim Morgan. PGSOB also started with new vigour after a frustrating closing first half. This however, led to some strong tackles by Mark Bingham and John Jarvis, who after depriving the opposition of shots on target worked the ball up the pitch, supported by Morgan, Andy Patterson and man of the match James Hoskins; this resulting in several short corners. After a couple of practice shorts the ball was swept towards the goal by Cunningham and then slotted easily into the bottom left hand corner by Lloyd.

The continued pressure from Okehampton was excellent to watch and unnerving for PGSOB especially after Charlie Lane was subbed on making a goal look even more possible. Unfortunately for Oke a late goal from a short corner gave PGSOB the lead and the win.

It was a close and well fought game by Oke A, where the score line did not reflect the game.