CARADON ladies first team suffered a disappointing defeat on Saturday as in-form Plymouth Lions left Lux Park with all three points in Women’s Division One South of the West Hockey League.

The visitors started the day fourth and both teams brought contrasting styles that demanded quick adaptation.

Caradon started brightly, with Katie Oliver, Bizzie Jeffery, Lila Johns and Clare Mitchell finding space in the attacking 25, supported well by Abbie Ingram and Libby Walsh recycling possession and reworking the attack.

The early pressure paid dividends when a well-worked move earned a penalty corner. Bizzie Jeffery reacted quickest to a deflection at the top of the D, striking cleanly to hear the welcome sound of ball on backboard and give Caradon the lead.

Plymouth responded by dropping into a disciplined half-court press, forcing Caradon to move the ball patiently in their defensive half to try and pull the structure apart.

Despite regrouping at half-time with a clear plan to attack the press, Plymouth grew stronger after the break and spent increasing spells deep in the Caradon 25.

A powerful shot deflected off a Caradon body and was awarded as a penalty stroke. Keeper Helen Delbridge came agonisingly close, but the ball crept past her pad to level the scores.

The defence of Amy Batty, Daisy Hunn and player-of-the-match Emma Gliddon worked tirelessly, moving the ball well alongside Jules Butterworth, Hannah Bladon and Kerenza Bunt through midfield. However, Plymouth capitalised on a penalty corner midway through the half to take a 2-1 lead.

Despite relentless effort until the final whistle, Caradon were unable to find an equaliser. While disappointed not to take a point, the league standings remain unchanged as focus turns to Saturday’s trip to Bristol-based Redland.

After beating the league leaders last week, Caradon Seconds travelled to face second-placed Exeter in Division Two South full of confidence.

Despite missing a few younger legs, Caradon started on the front foot, earning an early short corner which Nicole Harding pushed out for Clare Poad to strike powerfully from the top of the D to make it 1-0.

Exeter responded quickly with a chipped finish to level the scores.

Strong defensive performances from Carina Hodge and captain and player-of-the-match Julia Eldridge, alongside an excellent display from Jen Ross-Thomas in goal, kept Caradon in the game.

The second half saw Exeter take the lead, but Caradon showed real grit to respond. Another short corner saw Abbie Fulford fire low and hard between keeper and post to secure a well-earned draw after a hard-fought contest.

The thirds delivered a composed and confident performance against their youthful Newquay counterparts, running out 4-0 winners in their Trelawney Division One clash.

Player-of-the-match Rach Luiten opened the scoring from a short corner before adding a second early in the second half. Continued pressure eventually saw Luiten complete her hat-trick after excellent work from Izzy Hedley. A tactical switch saw defender Amy White step up front and score with her first touch to seal a comprehensive win.

The fourths battled hard against a strong Truro Thirds side at Lux Park, keeping the game scoreless until late in the second half.

Despite sustained pressure and numerous short corners, the defence stood firm before two late goals. The team showed resilience throughout, with Olivia Sanders deservedly taking the player-of-the-match award for her tireless running.