Hockey season ends on a high

Plymouth College’s 1st XI hockey team ended the season with a narrow victory in a home match against city rivals, Devonport High School for Boys.

The game started well for the home side, with some slick ball movement and interplay creating a number of early opportunities. Toby Farley’s excellent work rate prevented DHSB from attacking with any fluidity and Paddy James looked a constant threat in the circle. After one of many promising moves resulted in a penalty corner for Plymouth College, Abi Ingram was able to convert with a sweetly struck shot into the corner of the net. Not happy to sit back on a 1-0 lead however, Plymouth continued to press home their advantage and were soon rewarded with a 2nd goal.

Excellent inter-play down the right hand side involving Josh Hellings, Al Spicer and Ollie Dinnis (pictured) resulted in the ball being cut back for Peter Loxdale to sweep into an unguarded goal. While Plymouth College looked dangerous going forward, they were also indebted to some good defending from Charlie Daulton, Ingram and Jonah Moore which enabled them to keep DHSB scoreless as the half wore on. The home side’s lead was further extended before the interval when excellent individual skill from Dinnis saw him eliminate a number of defenders, before rounding the keeper and slotting into an empty net.

With the score line at 3-0, and only moments to play before the break, Plymouth College switched off, and a sloppy turn over led to a visiting attacker being fouled in the circle. The resulting penalty stroke was dispatched calmly to leave the score at 3-1 heading into the interval.

Despite all their good work in the first half, losses of concentration from Plymouth College allowed DHSB back into the game. The College’s lead was cut to one goal shortly into the second period, and despite a number of creative runs from Josh Hellings, the ball too often shot past the far post without anyone at home to tap it in the net. The team’s lack of success in front of the goal was in contrast to the ever improving fluency of their opponent’s attacking play and the hosts were indebted to Ingram, Daulton, Loxdale and James Heale in goal, for keeping them in the lead.

That said, some excellent work down the right hand side allowed Plymouth College to earn themselves a penalty corner on the break away, and Josh Hellings converted a rebound from the keeper to notch a well-deserved goal and double the advantage. DHSB were not prepared to lie down however and won themselves another penalty stroke which again saw them pull to within one goal. By this stage the hosts were back on form and some excellent ball retention from Harris Tzokas saw them calmly hold on for their 5th win of the season in their final game. Final score Plymouth College 4 Devonport High School for Boys 3.