HAVING not played a match for six weeks, Bude were aware that their first game after the Christmas break against Tavistock would not be easy.

This was confirmed in the first few minutes when the visitors took the lead. Bude were still finding their feet when the ball found an unmarked Tavistock player in Bude's 25' who took the ball around the 'keeper to score.

Even this did not give Bude the kick they needed and it was not until the second part of the first half, when some great passing into the D resulted in Tammy Snowsill levelling the scores, that Bude appeared to start playing some decent hockey.

Despite a stern talking to from manager Dawn Messenger-Pates, the second half started the same as the first with Tavistock taking the lead from a short corner. A great strike from the top of the D meant there was little anyone could do to stop it hammering the back board.

Bude rallied round and gradually began to take control. Tammy moved forward to join Perdi Sobey and Briony Varcoe up front, leaving Naomi Hatcher, Emily Horn, Leanne Stanbury, Di Old and Kirsty Heslop to work their magic in the midfield.

Di Old made a fantastic half pitch run to the base line before finding Tammy in the D who once again equalised for Bude.

The home side were awarded a number of short corners and had some great chances but were unable to convert them.

The visitors also played some good long balls through to their pacey attackers but Miranda Pomeroy, Robyn Pengilly and player of the match Caroline Hobbs, who had a brilliant game in defence, put in some strong tackles to deny them many chances. When called upon 'keeper Jo Timmins made sure any shots were safely cleared.

With only minutes to go Briony Varcoe added her name to the scoresheet to take Bude into the lead for the first time. Even though they were content with a one goal lead, Tammy burst out of defence, passing the ball to Briony, who went around Tavy's defenders before slipping the ball to Leanne who fired it into the goal.

Bude's victory means they remain second in the league. This Saturday they face Wootton Bassett away.

Team: Jo Timmins, Robyn Pengilly, Miranda Pomeroy, Caroline Hobbs, Naomi Hatcher, Emily Horn, Leanne Stanbury, Tammy Snowsill, Kirsty Heslop, Di Old, Briony Varcoe and Perdi Sobey.