HOCKEY: Taunton Vale, Minehead and Taunton Civil Service teams in action

TAUNTON Vale were keen to keep momentum following their win in the opening league game and soon exerted dominance over their visitors.

Vale played particularly well in the first 20, winning numerous short corners, but a combination of strong defence, imperfect execution and luck meant Vale were not able to put goals on the board.

As the half wore on, Vale had to remain patient and they were rewarded late in the half as Danny Sopp drove into the D before delivering into a dangerous area.

As the keeper looked to smother, Max Beale picked up the pieces before calmly finishing for his first goal of the season.

The second half started much the same as the first, however, Bath executed a swift counterattack to win a short corner and were able to level against the run of play.

This led to a period of parity between the teams before Vale were able to resume their stranglehold and Karl Trunks executed a well worked short corner midway through the half to restore Vale’s lead.

As the game wore on, Vale again managed the situation well against a team with chasing the game.

Joint men of the match: Henry Ormrod, Karl Trunks and Ross Hardwick.

This coming Saturday, Vale visit Plymouth University (noon start).

Southern 1
Torbay 2, Taunton Vale A 1

VALE 2nds travelled to Torbay looking to bounce back from their thrilling 6-5 loss the previous week.

Starting well, the visitors created the better chances in an even first half but couldn’t find the finishing touch.

On the stroke of half time Torbay won a dubious short corner which they converted well to take the lead.

Vale rallied well in the second half and were rewarded through a Tom Russell goal.

Both sides were playing well, and the hosts regained the lead through a deft touch with 15 minutes remaining.

Vale pushed hard for the equaliser only to find the Torbay keeper in excellent form.

This Saturday they host Dart (noon).

Central 1
Taunton Vale B 1, Old Bristolians 3

VALE B were up against a strong Old Bristolians side in a closely-fought match.

Two first-half goals from the Old Bristolians left Vale facing an uphill battle, with the third goal of the match also going against the home team.

A late strike from Foweraker sparked some hope of a resurgence but the opposition ultimately proved too tough to break down.

On Saturday Vale travel to Somerset Gryphons (3pm).

South East 1
Taunton CS 4, Taunton Vale C 1

VALE C enjoyed a local derby versus Taunton CS which ultimately ended in defeat.

Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Vale created a host of chances in the second half and converted excellently through James Duder after great work from Jerry Osborne on the left.

Two late goals from Civil Service put some gloss on the scoreline.

Vale C entertain Minehead A on Saturday (11.30am).

South East 2
West Dorset 1, Taunton Vale D 2

VALE 5ths returned triumphant after many years of away losses to West Dorset.

With renewed vigour and organisation, the opponents were overwhelmed and it was only a matter of time before Vale scored, courtesy of Edd Waterman.

The pace held up and another deflection in from Oscar Hinds made it 2-0.

Vale lost a man for what seemed like an eternity but still held on to a valiant 2-1 win.

This Saturday they play host to North Devon A (4.30pm).

South East 3
Ashmoor C 3, Taunton Vale E 4

THE newly-formed 6th XI played their first ever competitive match at Totnes against Ashmoor C.

Vale played some fantastic hockey, swift, sharp passing moving through the quarters and creating numerous goal-scoring opportunities.

Ashmoor struggled to contain Vale’s lively front line and goals were scored by Roland Zwarteveen (2) and Hector Innes (2).

The team showed great cohesion considering it was their first time playing together.

Men of the match: Bryan White, Innes and Zwarteveen.

Vale are at home to Minehead B on Saturday (3pm).

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TAUNTON Vale’s ladies 1st XI are still waiting for their first points in Premier Division 1 of the West Clubs Women’s League after suffering their third defeat, 1-0 at Team Bath Buccaneers 2nds.

This Saturday sees them host Cheltenham (1.30pm start).

Vale ladies 2nds drew their second game in succession, 0-0 at home to Penzance; on Saturday they go to Bude (2.30pm).

Sedgemoor Division 1 saw Vale 3rds beaten 3-1 at Minehead, and Vale 4ths overpowered at home to Yeovil & Sherborne 2nds, 4-0.

Vale 3rds entertain Winscombe 2nds on Saturday (10am), while the 4ths are at ECVH (11am).

There were two mismatches in Sedgemoor Division 2, Vale 5ths smashing Weston-super-Mare 3rds 7-0, and Vale 6ths losing to Weston 2nds by the same scoreline.

On Saturday the 5ths are are Bridgwater 2nds (10.30am), and the 5ths host ECVH 2nds (10am).

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TRIUMPH: Minehead A enjoyed a good home win over Chard A. Pic: Steve Richardson

West Clubs Women’s Hockey League
Sedgemoor Division 1
Minehead 3, Taunton Vale 3rds 1

LOCAL rivals Vale started strongly against Minehead and dictated the early stage of the game, rewarded when a cross into the D was powered past home goalkeeper Jan Weetch.

As the first half went on Minehead managed to take some control, pressing Vale back, and they equalised from a short corner, Denise Lancaster’s shot going just inside the post.

Vale, likely to be one of Minehead’s tougher opponents this season, continued to play well, and Weetch had to make a couple of good saves, while defenders Jess Koppa and Carol Matravers put in solid performances.

Minehead’s second goal was again scored by Lancaster, and their third from Zoey Cape after an impressive passage of play involving Koppa and Amy Tisshaw, who raced through the midfield and set up Cape to slot home.

This was a fine contest between two even sides, and Minehead put in a solid all-round team performance.

Minehead: Jan Weetch, Sue Garwood, Carol Matravers, Jess Koppa, Laura Bennett, Hazel Binding, Amy Tisshaw, Rachel Heaney, Anne Balderstone-Dowds, Zoey Cape, Libby Chambers, Denise Lancaster.
Julian’s Laundry Player of the Match: Amy Tisshaw

Sedgemoor Division 2
Minehead 2nds 2, Taw Valley 2nds 2

BUOYED by their convincing away win in their last league game, Minehead 2nds entertained Taw Valley 2nds and secured a draw against a team they had lost to in the three previous encounters.

After a confident start, the hosts took the lead in the first 10 minutes as a ball through from Wendy Daughtrey was driven forward by Kaylyn Porter and passed neatly to Libi Todd, who scored with aplomb.

Minehead continued to apply considerable pressure, but they could not find a second goal, and Taw Valley equalised on the counter attack.

Undeterred, the home side kept attacking, which resulted in several short corners and then a penalty strike; captain Jo Elliott stepped up and confidently scored from the spot.

The second half saw Minehead determined to forge ahead, but keeper Ell Kaye was called upon to make some good saves and they struggled to create chances at the other end.

An increasingly confident Taw attack broke more frequently, and again they were able to pull level, and 2-2 was how it finished.

Minehead: Ell Kaye, Tracey Bailey, Hannah Cornish, Caitin Gunter, Lisa Allen, Wendy Daughtrey, Kaylyn Porter, Jo Elliott, Amelia Swallow, Libi Todd, Izzy Fitzgerald.
Julian’s Laundry Player of the Match: Jo Elliott

Minehead men’s 1sts drew 1-1 with South Glos on Saturday, while the A team beat Chard A 7-3 and the B side saw off East Devon D 4-1.

This Saturday, Minehead host Team Bath Buccs E (1.30pm), the A side go to Taunton Vale C (11.30am) and the B XI are at Vale E (3pm).

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TAUNTON Civil Service men enjoyed a 4-1 win over Taunton Vale C last weekend, and their 2nds drew a thriller at ECV Hornets B, 5-5.

CS 1sts travel to Sidmouth & Ottery A this Saturday (12.30pm), and the 2nd XI take on Sidmouth & Ottery C (noon).

The CS ladies were held 1-1 by Bridgwater, and their 2nds crashed 5-0 at Sidmouth & Ottery 2nds.

On Saturday the 1sts are at Knowle (11.15am) and the 2nds host Taw Valley 2nds (1.30pm).