THE penultimate round of mens league hockey matches took place last Saturday, and Taunton Vale men’s section completed a full sweep with five wins out of five for their league teams.

The first team faced Exeter University A at home with the winners of the evening fixture being able to claim third in the Davis Wood league’s Premiership.

Played to the background of vocal home support, the match started very competitively with Taunton getting the better of the early exchanges.

Some astute tackles from Milo Wrenn and skipper Dave Gibson kept Exeter at bay but Taunton weren’t able to upgrade some good attacking plays into any scoring opportunities.

Shaun Matthews caused agony to the University defenders, displaying his skill set to create mayhem in their defensive ranks, but the half ended scoreless.

Taunton were certainly banking on their fitness edge being a major advantage and early in the second half, having won a streak of short corners, the Vale took the lead when Will Abell expertly converted a back post opportunity.

This prompted Exeter to step up a level and for a period Vale nearly rocked under the pressure.

However, the experience and skill of the team including Ed Carson, Ian Haley and Ben Stevenson stifled any threats and Vale ran out 1-0 winners.

A tremendous season for the new squad ends this Saturday at Bristol University as the team aim to build further towards next year.

VALE A thrashed struggling Exeter Hornets A 16-1 away in Conference South.

Vale dominated the entire match racing into a 7-0 by half time.

Captain Tom Evans scored a hat-trick, there were two each for Rich Gower, Mark House, Alex Lumby, Steve Ryburak, and Colin Jewhurst while Chris Foster, Sam Nutt and Luke Reynolds notched one apiece.

VALE B secured the South East 1 title with a 3-0 victory at Isca D.

In an even first half Vale were largely ineffective against spirited opposition.

They had chances but Calvin Bull, Liam Elliott and Joe Morris were unable to convert.

Vale were also indebted to goalkeeper Martin Lawrence as their marking went awry at times.

It was left to Mark Lecompte to score the opener just before half time with a fine diving finish from a Morris cross.

The second half saw Vale take complete control with arguably their best half of hockey for the season.

With a tweak in formation Vale pushed up high on Isca and denied them any space.

In addition they shortened their passing and produced a very attractive brand of hockey, based on possession and good movement.

Jerry Osborne scored his second of the season as he nutmegged the keeper with a well-placed flick and Joe Morris scored his first goal for the B team as finished from close range.

Vale kept on relentlessly attacking and went close with a number of chances but were unable to add to their goal tally.

Despite a late flurry from Isca Vale held firm to keep their eighth clean sheet of the season.

VALE C beat Minehead A 3-2 at home in, also in South East 1. As with many of the team’s matches they were slow to start and within a minute were one behind from a skilful and surprisingly rapid Mine-head break.

This seemed to energise the team and shortly afterwards Stuart Morling sent an agonisingly-weighted shot through the Minehead keepers legs and saw it trickle into the goal.

In the second half the ball moved up and down the pitch.

Vale worked as a team and passed the ball up the pitch, eventually scoring through Phil Lewis.

Then Minehead players produced excellent individual skill before equalising at 2-2.

Then in the last minute a superb individual effort by Phil Lewis saw him net the decider.

VALE D beat Minehead B 4-1 in the season’s penultimate fixture.

An early goal from Andy Criddle, put Vale into the lead.

Vale then racked up a further three goals from Val Simillien, Matt Dutton and Nick Vigar, and only conceded one goal in the second half.

VALE Ladies 4ths suffered an 8-0 defeat by Shepton Mallet 1sts in Sedgemoor Division 1 of the West Clubs league.

Vale visited the seriously high- scoring leaders Shepton knowing the result of the match would not be in doubt, only the size of the scoreline. Playing without a goalkeeper, the 4ths played with their usual zeal and determination enjoying the game against the superior Shepton side.

Every Vale player gave their all in a game where Shepton had 19 short corners and yet only scored from 1 against the keeper-less Vale side.

Their excellent defensive play was led by player-of-the-match Jan Reynolds who produced a stunning performance and saved Vale on numerous occassions.

Anna Kyle was also outstanding performance as always, taking the game to the opposition with her speed, skill and tireless running.

Vale: Anne Dowds, Becs McDonagh, Elaine Balderstone (capt), Jan Reynolds, Theresa Stone, Ruth Plumber-Weeks, Vicky Tindall, Helen Donovan, Anna Kyle, Bronwen Webb, Cheryl Cole.