KS Cougars 2,

After a long and successful league season which saw the Cougars finish second in Petroc Division 1 with an undefeated record on pitch and having made the last 32 in the country in the England Hockey Investec Vase, the only challenge remaining for KS was the Devon Trophy final against local rivals Dartmouth.

Friendly rivalry aside, the Devon Trophy is open to all hockey clubs in the county and both finalists earned their places beating teams from far and wide. To see the final contested at the highest level by two quality sides from neighbouring towns in the South Hams speaks volumes for the level of local talent we have in our area.

After a full warm-up the game started with KS flying into the attack, breaking into the Dartmouth D and earning a short corner in the opening minute.

Unable to convert the early chance, KS maintained the pressure with solid build-up play as they looked to create further upgrades.

With ten minutes gone Sarah Budgen took over at left half as Nic Bowes dropped into her key role as utility player through the KS midfield. The Cougars were moving the ball well and delivering solid passages of play as Emily Read and Heather-Jo Webber linked strongly down the right side.

The arrowhead of vice-captain Bex Darke, Chloe Harvey and captain Helen Symons looked strong as some excellent posting up from the inside forwards delivered space for supporting centre midfield Lou Read to play into.

With the Cougars looking strong it was by no means a one team show. Dartmouth have proved over the season they are a side to be reckoned with, their structure and movement of the ball from set pieces is textbook and their pace on the break and quality of long pass is up there with the best.

KS backs Gemma Harvey and Fi Wadey were tested on several occasions and the Cougars midfield were made to work hard in spells which tracked play from end to end.

In the closing minutes before half time another upgrade in the D saw KS win a short corner, a slick injection to Nic Bowes saw her rifled shot well saved by the Dartmouth 'keeper but good work on attacking the rebound left Bowes in perfect position to smash the ball home and give KS the lead as the first half finished.

The brief pause at half-time gave KS the opportunity to focus on their game plan for the second half, keeping up the workrate and looking to create more chances in front of goal while watching for the strong counters from Dartmouth on the break.

Knowing that Dartmouth would come out hard to open the second half, KS focused on delivering a big ten minutes to protect their lead. As the game continued in the same fast pace as the first half Rachel Roberts and Tess Morris gave great spells, providing width and pace as they kept up the excellent workrate shown throughout the squad.

Lucy Croft took over at left half and delivered a rock solid spell, closing down her opposite number and distributing well in possession.

Dartmouth worked the ball well through the centre earning several short corners and drew some good saves from 'keeper Claire Jones, who was backed up by great defensive work, particularly from Emily Read.

The Cougars continued to create chances as they began to work the ball on the angles around goal.

With ten minutes to go, KS delivered a strong spell as Lou Read broke through the 25 and hit the inside channel to deliver a crashing ball into the D on the angle. 

Hannah Durrans had taken over at left wing and made the diagonal run across the D to pressure the injection from Read and force a deflection which ricocheted past the Dartmouth 'keeper to take the Cougars 2-0 up as the clock counted down the last few minutes.

The final whistle blew on a great win for the Cougars at the end of a fast paced match played with excellent team spirit, skill and commitment by both sides.

The Cougars have now made four Trophy finals in the last five years and this sees them securing their third win.

Midfield marvel Lou Read earned the woman-of-the-match award. 

Thank you from everyone at the club to the team at Unit 6 for helping the girls be 'fitter than they've ever been', to Cathy and Pete at the Kings Arms for providing excellent match teas, to Southmoor Vets for their sponsorship of training and subs jackets and to Simon and Claire at One Hockey for providing two excellent coaching weekends and ongoing mentoring on tactics and drills.

And saving the best for last, a special mention for everyone who has supported the girls over the year from the sidelines and followed them to Plymouth on Sunday.

The team have been overwhelmed by the level of support and would like to send a personal 'thank you' to all of you.