South division

KS Cougars 1, Tavistock 0

The Cougars took on Tavistock last Saturday in a top of the table decider for this year's South Division honours.

KS came into the game three points clear, with Tavistock needing to win if they wanted to bring the title chase down to the last game of the season.

The atmosphere at KCC was amazing and both sides came out of the gates at full speed.

The opening minutes saw the Cougars penetrate the Tavi 25 before play quickly switched to the KS D as their opponents struck back through some slick midfield passing.

With neither side giving any quarter, KS halves Lou Read, Emily Read and Fi Wadey were soon working hard from 25 to 25 as each team counterattacked at pace.

KS wingers Mel Showler and Sarah Budgen extended their lines well to create width in attack and showed great tenacity in jumping back to track their markers on the Tavi attacks as the game swung from end to end.

A strong break into space on the right by Showler nearly saw the Cougars break the deadlock as her inside pass to Laura Kerly was slipped on to captain Chloe Harvey, who went one-on-one with the 'keeper only to see her shot well saved.

Neither side could break the deadlock during the first 35 minutes and over the half-time break the Cougars re­viewed the first half with coaches Ash Wy­eth and Mikey Dennis.

Focusing on maintaining their strong press and looking to exploit the chances being created, KS retook the pitch fired up for the second half.

With the Cougars midfield providing the buffer to hem in Tavi advances down the middle, KS looked to turnover the ball and play quick releases to the inside channels.

As the clock ticked over into the 47th mi­nute an early ball up­field led to a great connection as Helen Sy­mons played Laura Kerly through on goa and she smashed home to put KS in front as the crowd went wild.

As Tavi kept looking for an equaliser they generated a strong spell of upgrades in the KS D. Time and again Emily Read was off the line like a rocket to fearlessly charge down the first striker.

KS 'keeper Claire Jones pulled off a key save to protect the Cougars' lead before stepping up again to confidently clear.

The Cougars continued to create chances, with the best one falling to three Cougars lined up at the back post who somehow failed to get a touch on Lou Read's perfect cross.

Both sides fought hard as the half wore on with captain Harvey and her opposite number picking up green cards for a coming together in the centre circle. All players responded well to the umpires' direction and credit should go to Stu Read and Ricki Elliot for a well managed game that allowed each team to play their best hockey.

Some staunch KS defending to deny Tavi an equaliser saw Gem­ma Harvey come to the fore. The Cougars battled their way through Tavi's best spell as their opponents delivered a strong midfield press.

Kerly's tireless workrate at centre forward in closing down every defensive transfer and free hit stopped Tavi building play from the back.

Maintaining the width Fern Tucker and Tess Morris ran the wings in two great spells.

With the last five minutes feeling like an age, the whistle finally blew on a flat out game of hockey and the cheers erupted from the home supporters.

The team would like to say thank you to everyone who gave encouragement during the game and before.

As the Cougars tucked into their post match teas courtesy of the Ring O'Bells, voting was tight across the whole squad as right back Gemma Harvey won the woman-of-the-match award for her committed performance and sensational defending in the second half.

The result sees the Cougars remain three points clear on top of the league above Ply­mouth Uni, who had moved up a place due to an overturned result from earlier in the season.

KS play their last game this weekend against White Eagles in Tiverton, looking to crown their promotion with one last victory as they chase down season best stats for the league.