TAUNTON VALE.

N4 Financial Solutions Men’s League, Premier One: Firebrands 1st XI 3, Taunton Vale 1st XI 5.

VALE bounced back to winning ways with victory away to lowly Bristol-side Firebrands on Saturday.

With the return of Durston and inclusion of senior player Rybaruk morale was high in Vale’s dressing room. The first 20 minutes was a even battle but a composed Mclauchlan rounded the keeper and picked out Tarr to put Vale ahead.

However, Vale found themselves 2-1 down at the break after leaving their defence exposed twice as they searched for another goal.

After the break Vale managed to regain their mojo, and got their reward from a penalty corner through Gibson. A poor spell of umpiring created opportunity for Firebrands to score from a penalty stroke and saw Vale receive two yellow cards.

However, nine-man Vale absorbed the pressure and scored against the run of play when vice-captain Mark House linked well with Carson to create the goal.

For the last period of the match Vale retained the possession and showed professionalism to seal the victory. Eight goals, six yellow cards and three strokes was just an average day at the office for the men from Taunton!

South One: Taunton Vale 2nd XI 11, Isca A 4.

VALE 2nds produced some of their best hockey of the season to secure a resounding victory against their Isca counterparts.

However, they started poorly and the visitors took a deserved lead. Vale hit back immediately through Ross Hardwick with a well worked penalty corner and went on to dominate the half scoring three more unanswered goals including two from Wes Durston and one from Matt Abell.

The second half was the Wes Durston show as the man of the match scored eight goals in all, including a hat-trick of sublime efforts roofed in from the top of the D.

Isca managed to pull back three goals as Vale surged forward looking to increase their lead.

West Women’s League, Sedgemoor One: Taunton Vale Ladies 3rds XI 7, Cheddar 2nd XI 3.

Ladies 3rds gained three more points with a good display away to Cheddar.

There were three goals apiece from Gemma Bashford and Kirri Purrsey with Nikki Barrington also on target.

It ensured Vale go into this weeks vital match away against second-placed Ashmoor in fine spirits. Player of the match: Purrsey.

Sedgemoor Two: Taunton Vale Ladies 4th XI 0, ECVH 5.

VALE Ladies 4ths got off to a shaky start and went a goal down.

They responded by attacking with some great runs from the strikers but were denied by good goalkeeping. Hornets kept attacking and managed to increase their lead to 3-0 at half time.

After the break, Vale looked more comfortable and created chances but were unable to finish. Hornets attacked and Vale’s defence couldn’t keep them out and the visitors added another two goals.

Player of the match was Bryony Goddard. Vale face Weston this weekend and hope to get back into their stride.

CIVIL SERVICE.

N4 Financial Solutions Men’s League, South-East One: Taunton Civil Service 1st XI 7, Yeovil and Sherborne 3rd XI 1.

CIVIL returned to winning ways with a comprehensive victory.

Their fast forward line and well worked set pieces overwhelmed the visitors and Paul Bond and John Godfrey stood out amongst the goal scorers with a brace apiece.

South-East Two: Isca 4th XI 4, Taunton CS 2nd XI 2 CIVIL were 3-0 down part way through the second half but hauled themselves back into the game with a goal each from the trusty duo of John Bird and Mark Sawyer.

Pushing forward for an equaliser, Civil were caught with a fourth goal which settled the match.

South-Eastern District Two: Taunton Vale 5th XI 14 ,Taunton CS 3rd XI 0.

CIVIL were completely blown away by a Vale team currently sweeping all before them in this league.

West Women’s League, Sedgemoor One: Taunton CS Ladies 1st XI 1, Ashmoor 4.

ASHMOOR have come down from the league above and were impressive in all aspects of their game. Civil did very well to hold them to this score in a good quality match, due in no small part to a succession of superb saves from keeper Rachel Sharland. Natalie Lawrence scored for Civil. Sedgemoor Three: Wells City Acorns 2, Taunton CS Ladies 2nd XI 0.

CIVIL held the home side to 0-0 at half time but could not maintain their stout defence in the second half.

Civil player of the match was Sarah Grenfell, who put in a typically strong performance.