OKEHAMPTON U14 girls were on the harder side of the draw at the Devon U14s Hockey Festival held on their home groud on Sunday.

They faced larger, more experienced clubs and their first opponents were a well drilled ISCA first team.

ISCA passed the ball quickly around the pitch and soon took the lead. Oke reacted well with defenders Izzy Rowlands and Lagaya Coatham stepping up and intercepting the ball. The Oke team battled hard but were forced to play a defensive game resulting in a 2-0 defeat.

Oke played Marjons firsts in their next game. The plucky Oke players worked well together with Maddie Davidson controlling the midfield. The strong Marjons forwards lifted the ball high into the Oke net for the first goal but Katie Chapman surged up the pitch and connected with Isabella Pavey for an equaliser. Marjons scored another quick goal to claim the game.

Oke were gaining confidence against ISCA seconds. Eleanor Marvin looked dangerous on the break pressurising the ISCA defence and going for goal. Katie Chapman pounced on every loose ball and was rewarded with a winning goal.

Against Exe the teams were evenly matched with Oke’s Ruth Frangleton and Jess Bowles combining well on the right but they couldn’t break through the opponents’ defence. Oke were unlucky to concede a soft goal in this end to end contest.

Oke’s toughest game was against Plymouth firsts, a strong and slick team.

The city side forced Oke goalkeeper Ella Kaye to make several superb saves. Oke reacted quickly when they gained possession pushing forward at every opportunity but they could not convert this pressure into goals. Plymouth made no mistake in converting their pressure into goals to clinch the win.