Saturday, November 10

Verde Recreo Hockey League

Southern Two

Penzance 1

A DEPLETED Bude side fell to a surprise defeat at bottom of the table Penzance on Saturday despite dominating the majority of the game.

The visitors got off to the worst possible start as Penzance’s first attack was worked very well down the left-hand side and played back into the D where striker Brogan Donnelly was on hand to slot the ball past keeper Andy Davis with their very first shot on goal.

Bude regrouped well and with solid possession began to create some chances but could not convert any.

They continued to pressure Penzance at every opportunity which paid dividends with even more short corners and shots on goal but Penzance rode their luck to remain ahead at the half-time break as they had been unable to muster any further shots on goal.

Bude were adamant that if they continued playing the way they had into the second-half it was only a matter of time before they got the break needed to change the game; so normal service was resumed in the second-half as Bude dominated possession, territory and shots thanks to an outstanding effort by the untried midfield duo of Paul Floyd and debutant man-of-the-match David Pipe, who between them, bossed the game all the way to the bitter end.

However the whole team were equally frustrated as the ball would just not hit the back of the net. Penzance created a few further chances as Bude tired and pushed on trying to get an equaliser but the defence stood strong.

Bude’s day was summed up as the very last attack of the game fell to youngster Joe Sheppard who had made a great run from the left-wing to meet a cross at the back-post, only to see his deft deflection agonisingly drift past the post.

Although defeated, there were plenty of positives to take ahead of this weekend’s visit of Camborne School of Mines (1pm), when the North Cornwall club hope to be back to full strength.

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League

South Division

Penzance 6

Bude 3

A SLOW start cost Bude dear as they fell to defeat in West Cornwall.

Penzance went 2-0 up inside ten minutes and although Clare Westaway halved the deficit from close-range, the home side struck twice more before the break.

Anna Elliot kept them in the contest to make it 4-2 with an acute finish from the left-hand side of the D, but the damage was done.

Penzance extended their advantage and although Tammy Snowsill kept hopes alive, Bude were punished once more as they pushed forward.

For the home side, Sarah Thomas and Megan Pengelly both notched hat-tricks as Bude dropped to sixth.

Captain Claire Pipe said: “We really struggled to get the journey out of our legs against a determined side and we struggled to get back into it after the start we made.

“In the second-half we picked our game up and fought to the end but it wasn’t to be.”