News Item

Isca Dragons U15: 2 - Taunton Vale U15: 3

Spectators at Exeter University gathered on a sunny Sunday to witness a great under 15 game of hockey that was worthy of a national final. Both teams played some excellent hockey in a very exciting end to end game.

Taunton started stronger and soon forced Isca GK Sophie Hines into making three or four good early saves. Isca soon gathered composure and started to play the fast passing game that is a trademark of the club. In the 15th minute the Taunton GK made a save but kicked the ball straight back to Carragh Martineau who quickly hit the ball into goal to give Isca the lead.

Isca had several chances and found Taunton were vulnerable on the break but Isca could not capitalize on a 3 v 1 advantage at one point and several other opportunities. Taunton had a break themselves and scored through Kate Reynolds (who had played at Exeter JRPC with some of the Isca players). The half time score was 1 – 1.

The second half continued to be played at a fast pace and the ball went from end to end. Taunton were awarded a penalty corner and scored in the 53rd minute with a very well placed shot in the left hand corner again by Kate Reynolds. Isca pressed hard to bring the game back on an even footing and were rewarded by the pressure when Hannah Watts scored a reverse stick hit goal from the left hand side.

A few minutes later Taunton were awarded another penalty corner and the umpire judged there to be a deflection from a defender that sent the first shot high to the right with Sophie Hines pulling off a good save with her right hand. The ball dropped to her right and following a scramble the ball drifted across the goal and was poked in by Megan Marden.

Isca fought hard for the last few minutes to score the equaliser they so deserved with a few chances falling to players on the right and Rosie Bennett driving down the right only to see the ball bobble tantalisingly close to the goal line and past the player waiting on the left post. They were still challenging as the final whistle went.

Taunton acknowledged that this was a great game of hockey and that it could have gone either way. The squad are to be congratulated on their effort. Some great composure at the back by Amelia Sydenham with well timed tackles, creative play in midfield by Rosie Bennett, Lorel Wallis and Hannah Watts and a good all round team effort from all players.

Team:
GK: Sophie Hines
Backs: Katy Casper, Amelia Sydenham, Ruthie Tressider
Midfield: Rosie Bennett, Lorel Wallis, Naomi Rubbera, Hannah Watts, Lucy Parsons
Forwards: Carragh Martineau, Katy Taverner, Claire Richardson, Lucy McNeile, Jody Atkins

Congratulations to Taunton and we wish them and their coach Clare Hayes good luck in the quarter finals.