Petroc division one

Dartmouth 4,

Torbay 02

Dartmouth did not disappoint in this must-win game. Every Dartmouth woman played their part. Coach Matt Putt asked the Dartmouth ladies to give him all they had in their locker, and if they had more wanted that too. They duly obliged, with a first-class performance from a first-class team.

Torbay did not know what hit them when the umpires started the game, with Dartmouth starting at a furious pace. They earned a succession of short corners and on the fifth skipper Lucy Pillar smashed the ball into the net for her first of the afternoon.

A stunned Torbay tried to hit back, but to no avail. The combination of Hannah Pillar, Chloe Edwards and Chelsey Rendle at the back were in no mood to let their slender lead slip. Dartmouth 'keeper Ellie Malley was on top of her game as well.

Dartmouth kept pressing and the midfield combination of Mandy Servan, Siobhan Edwards, Sam Webb, Sarah Barrett and Jamie Rendle hit Torbay like an express train, Jamie crossing the ball over and Lucy Pillar giving the Torbay defence and 'keeper no chance with a trap and smash for a second goal.

Torbay kept trying to push out of their 25-metre line, but Dartmouth were having none of it and kept the pressure on. Sarah Barrett stole the ball and took the shot on, with Siobhan Edwards picking up the rebound and slotting the ball into the net for a third just before the half-time whistle.

Matt Putt and Lucy Pillar pulled the Dartmouth ladies to one side after the umpires called a halt for the first half. Both congratulated the players for their efforts in the first half, but pointed out the obvious: the job was only half done and Torbay were going to come out all guns blazing.

Torbay made a better start at the start of the second half, but the Dartmouth's back three were in no mood to let Torbay dominate, with Siobhan Edwards reading the game and coming back to help in defence. Siobhan defended a short corner, picked the ball up and passed it to Sarah Barrett, who passed to Jamie Rendle and Jamie, getting the ball in from the right wing, found Lucy Pillar, who found the net again for Dartmouth's fourth and Lucy's well-deserved hat-trick.

With a succession of free hits and short corners, Torbay got the goal they were looking for, taking the score to 4-1.

With a three-goal cushion, Matt Putt rang the changes and brought on Becca Squires for Lauren Rogers.

Dartmouth kept pressing, but with a combination of the Torbay pressure and the furious pace the Dartmouth ladies put in for the first hour, the Dartmouth fuel was running on empty, and with five minutes to go Torbay hit Dartmouth again for their second of the afternoon. But it was too little, too late for Torbay, and Dartmouth came away with a well-deserved victory.

Player of the match went to Lucy Pillar for her hat-trick and leadership. The match was ­sponsored by beauty therapist shop Cove.

Dartmouth are in action again this week. They will take on Dawlish away, with another tough game predicted.

Dartmouth obviously need to win this game to put more ­pressure on Torbay. Torbay ­currently lead Petroc division one by a single point. If Dartmouth win and Torbay lose or draw, Dartmouth will go top.