Saturday, October 19

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

Exeter and Culm Vale Hornets A 2

Bude were hoping for that little slice of luck to turn the good performances into points and did so with a great team performance to beat Exeter Culm Vale Hornets A 4-2 at the Budehaven Sports Centre on Saturday.

Jared Slade was unlucky not to put the home side ahead early on when he narrowly missed from close range. But this was just the warning shot as Bude, who were playing in a slightly different formation, got off to an excellent start. As the pressure mounted, Hornets gave away a penalty corner which was tucked away neatly by Tom Fry, drag flicking straight from the top of the D.

Hornets took their first chance on goal as a quick counter-attack out of nothing was slotted home from close range; but Bude’s response was immediate as some quick slick passing saw Thomas Hall force his way through the middle from where he let rip with a thunderbolt into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

Hornets did manage to get the ball into the goal, but were judged to have lifted the ball dangerously into the defender, so it was ruled out by the umpires.

Bude were to make the most of this decision and piled the pressure on Hornets as Slade made it 3-1 when he finished off a move he started by timing his run to the back-post with perfection, from where he cooly lifted the ball into the middle of the netting.

The second-half continued in a similar vain with Bude dominating the play and possession, creating numerous chances but it was only Hall who managed to find the goal and extend Bude’s lead further.

A consolation goal came from another Hornets breakaway, but that was all it was as Bude managed to hold on and see the game out to claim their first three points of the season.

A closely fought man-of-the-match award was given to Slade for his excellent work-rate on and off the ball and his ever improving stick skills, which resulted in his well-deserved goal.

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

Bude 2

Isca and University of Exeter 5 3

BUDE’s run of good performances without getting the points they need continued on Saturday as they lost 3-2 at home to Isca fifths in the South Division of the West Clubs Women’s Hockey League.

The hosts took the lead in the first-half as Charlotte Gist’s superb dribble ended with her finding the back of the net.

However their advantage didn’t last long, but that didn’t affect the hosts as they went back in front from a short corner.

Ruby Bryant’s pass found Tammy Snowsill, who made no mistake.

Bude continued to create chances throughout, but the Devon side were slightly more clinical, scoring twice before the end to ensure the points.