Saturday, October 20

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two     

Bude            5

Devonport Services 1

BUDE bounced back from a poor start to beat Devonport Services and maintain their excellent start to the season.

A strong 15-man home team were keen to impress from the beginning, but got off to the worst possible start as after some shaky defending they gave away a penalty corner within the first three minutes, which was converted with relative ease.

Despite the setback, the Cornishmen remained calm, composed and soon sorted out their defensive issues which allowed the midfield to control the game by dictating the pace and tempo — thus creating sustained pressure in their opponents half. 

The pressure soon told and Bude got their reward as after some slick passing, Jon Elliot was on hand to fire the ball home from close range.

By now Bude were dominating every part of the pitch and soon went 3-1 up with goals from Charlie Falla and Kristof Saunders. 

With such a strong bench they were able to keep the pressure and tempo high at all times without losing the continuity, meaning they kept creating chances regularly.

This continued into the second-half with Elliot goal poaching to double his tally for the day before Paul Floyd calmly finished off his trademark short corner routine with consummate ease to make it 5-1. 

On the occasions that Devonport offered a threat, Robin Jennings was always on hand at the right time and in the right place to snuff them out. His quiet but deadly defensive steel earned him a close run man-of-the-match award as there were great performances and nominations across all areas of the pitch. 

On Saturday they make the trip to King Edward VI Community College in Totnes (2pm) to face Ashmoor A who are two points behind them in fourth.

Bude ladies’ two-week wait for a league fixture didn’t stop them from earning an excellent 3-3 draw at Caradon in the South Division of the West Clubs Women’s Hockey League.

After being 1-0 down at the break, three quickfire goals — all from open play — from Diane Old, Clare Westaway and Tammy Snowsill put them 3-1 up before the hosts scored from two short corners.

Captain Claire Pipe said: “We played a great passing game, particularly at the end of the first-half and the beginning of the second.”

Bude will look to build on the result when they entertain fifth-placed White Eagles on Saturday (2.30pm).