BUDE Ladies began their league campaign with a narrow 3-2 defeat at home to Camborne SOM, in a performance full of spirit and promise.

With a strong squad of 15, including three debutants – juniors Elsa Edwards and Maeve Motsch making their first appearances in senior hockey, alongside Eleanor Rush – the team settled into their first competitive outing of the season.

Bude started nervously and found themselves 1-0 down in the first half, despite determined defending from goalkeeper Jo Timmins and the back line of Willow Du Plessis, Emily Smart, and Clarey Westaway.

In midfield, Mia Flynn and Charlotte Kingdon worked tirelessly down the wings, while forwards Chloe Hall and Rush battled hard up front.

Just before half-time, a penalty corner was played into Hall, and although the shot was fumbled, the ball fell kindly to midfielder Caroline Hockridge, who smashed home from close-range.

The second half saw further rotation, with Naomi Hatcher joining the midfield, and defenders Lottie Davies and debutant Edwards both getting valuable minutes and making strong contributions at the back. Up front, Motsch came on for her debut and worked tirelessly.

Camborne regained the lead and soon after extended it to 3–1, despite resilient defending and big effort from the whole squad.

Encouraged by co-captains Hall and Hockridge, Bude rallied late on.

A powerful run from Flynn down the wing set up a slick passing move: Flynn found Hall, who slipped the ball to Izzy Sobey. With a superb reverse-stick strike, Sobey fired home Bude’s second goal to make it 3–2.

Despite their best efforts, Bude were unable to find the equaliser before the final whistle. The squad, however, took plenty of positives from their opening match, with excellent individual performances across the pitch and three players making valuable first appearances.