Devon Cup

Plymouth University 3,

Dartmouth 2

Dartmouth took a large crowd to the Univer­sity of Exeter, the venue for the Devon Cup final 2015 and the crowd were supportive, vocal and pleased with the way the Dartmouth ladies played on this spring morning.

Coach Matt Putt gave the Dartmouth ladies every encouragement he could and the ladies paid him back with a stunning game of hockey.

Dartmouth gave this game everything they had in their locker and came within touching distance of the elusive Devon Cup.

Take nothing away from the ladies from Plymouth University, they too gave everything and played out of their skins to beat a determined Dartmouth side.

Straight from the whistle Plymouth threw everything at Dartmouth and were rewarded with a goal within the first three minutes. Two minutes later Plymouth were on the scoreboard again.

Dartmouth, stunned by the speed and accuracy of the Uni ladies, had to stem the flow.

Putt made a tactical change, bringing Lauren Rogers in from left mid to the centre and moving Sarah Barrett from centre to left mid.

With the change made, Dartmouth were back in the reckoning with a well-taken goal from skipper Lucy Pillar. Sam Webb stole the ball and picked a pinpoint pass to Lucy, who smashed the ball home.

From then on it was nip and tuck, but the score remained two goals to one on the half time whistle.

Skipper Lucy Pillar and coach Matt Putt gave the team some more encouragement at comments at half time and the ladies seemed to be inspired.

Dartmouth didn't disappoint and came out fighting at the start of the second half.

Plymouth soaked up the pressure and gave Dartmouth a hammer blow with five minutes of the second half gone.

Dartmouth's heads didn't drop and instead of going into their shell they pressed for their third goal.

Sarah Barrett came close, along with a brilliant solo run from Lisa Hunt, ending with the Plymouth 'keeper puling off a match-winning save.

Just one minute later Dartmouth thought they had drawn level, this time Sam Webb finding the net, only for the goal to be disallowed as the whistle had gone.

Two minutes later, Sarah Barrett put through a great ball to Lucy Pillar and Lucy found the net for her second of the afternoon.

Dartmouth were inspired by this and gave it their all, but Mandy Servan, Sam Webb, Lucy Pillar and Jamie Rendle were all thwarted by an on-form Plymouth 'keeper.

Dartmouth's defence were kept busy from the Uni's quick breaks, with Chelsey Rendle, Chloe Edwards, Hannah Pillar and Ellie Malley all putting their bodies on the line.

With 15 minutes to go, Matt Putt brought on Darcey Wall for Chelsey Rendle, Darcey once again showing her strength as a utility player in the Dart­mouth side.

With Alicia Wade­son, Freya Bradley, Becca Squires and Alix Vincent all champing at the bit to come on, Matt Putt couldn't make the changes because it looked like Dartmouth were going to win this game, but Plymouth held firm.

Dartmouth ladies were physically and emotionally drained at the final whistle but showed good sportsman ship and applauded the Plymouth Ladies when they were presented with the Devon Cup.

Dartmouth shouldn't be too disappointed with themselves, they have reached their third cup final in as many years. Next year could be their year.

After the game the Dartmouth ladies were treated to lunch at the Old Inn at Halwell served by Steve and Juliette, who have been magnificent hosts to, not only the Dartmouth Hockey team but also to the visiting teams.

After lunch the Dartmouth team put on their glad rags and had their presentation night at Mama's Kitchen and later Mick and Kathy Chambers hosted the Dartmouth ladies to a disco at the Seale Arms.

All in all a fun filled day with not quite the result that Dartmouth wanted.

That's almost all for this season's, with just the Dawlish tournament to go, where Darts will hope to defend their crown with their usual sense of humour with their yearly themed outfits.