Saturday, March 24

The GoCrea8 Hockey League

Southern Two

PGSOB A 1

SAFE from the relegation zone after last week’s league results and up against Plympton Grammar School Old Boys A (PGSOB), who had already secured their promotion, neither team were under pressure to win, but it was Bude who ended the season on a high after coming from behind to take the spoils.

Both teams went forward with the ball flying from one end to the other in a style resembling a basketball match.

Opportunities were sprouting at both ends through some well-worked plays.

Bude seemed to be landing more shots on target, but unfortunately for them were being swatted away by the PGSOB goalkeeper.

Bude were to make the first mistake as one of their forwards found some unmarked space in the D to slip the ball in the back of the net.

Bude didn’t lose their spirit and saw several short corner opportunities awarded in their favour, putting PGSOB under immense pressure. On their third attempt, Paul Floyd gracefully flicked the ball over the eagle-eyed keeper to make 1-1 at the break.

Tired legs were beginning to set in for both teams, evident in an onset of sloppy tackles.

But a messy tackle from PGSOBS saw Kristof Saunders take them by surprise with a quick restart and a dash towards the D. He then slipped it through to Jon Elliot. Although his strike was going wide, the ball somehow found the end of a PGSOB player’s stick and deflected gracefully into the backboard.

PGSOB were awarded a short corner on the final whistle. Loading the D with everyone on the pitch, the atmosphere was tense on and off the pitch.

The ball was slapped out to the top of the D and then struck with pace and precision at knee height towards the left of first-time goalkeeper Henry Gwynne-Thomas, who made an excellent save to cap off a remarkable season.

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

Bude 0

Falmouth 1

DESPITE?losing against the league champions at Budehaven School, Okehampton’s 3-1 defeat at home to Plymouth Marjon 2 meant that Bude headed into their potential relegation decider on Sunday knowing that they’re safe.

On the day, Bude, boosted by a number of players making themselves available for the crucial double-header, put in one of their best performances of the season with goalkeeper Claire James making a string of outstanding saves.

A combination of James’ opposite number making several excellent blocks and some average finishing, meant that Falmouth left North Cornwall still unbeaten thanks to a goal from a short corner on the stroke of half-time.

Sunday, March 25

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

Bude 1

Okehampton 1

SPARED the pressure of knowing that they could ill-afford to lose, Bude welcomed their relegated visitors on Sunday with another decent team, boosted by two subs, which has been a rarity in recent weeks.

With Bude having given their all just 24 hours previously, a combination of tired legs and minds meant that they were never going to be able to play to their potential.

However they did start the game well and took the lead inside 20 minutes as a brilliant solo run from midfielder Emily Shepherd allowed her to waltz into the edge of the D before crashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner.

Okehampton continued to battle away and were rewarded for their efforts midway through the second-half as Bude again conceded from a short-corner after a sustained period of pressure from the visitors.

As the game progressed, both teams had chances to win it but they held firm to end the season with a point apiece.

Thankfully for Bude, they can plan for life in the South Division of the West Clubs Women’s Hockey League next term, where they hope they’ll be able to avoid a battle against the drop.

Captain Anna Bury was proud of her team’s effort in what’s been a struggle all year.

She said: “Against Falmouth we had a full team out, which is different to normal. We played with a good level of communication and speed and caused Falmouth problems with our triangles and linking passes.

They normally win really easily so we were pleased with our performance.

“Sunday was always going to be tough due to the tiredness in the legs but we did okay.

“Although next year a couple of girls are going off to university, I’m hoping to get a couple of experienced players back to help us.”