Kingsbridge and Salcombe 1s played their last friendly at the weekend against a determined Dartmouth side who play in Petroc 1 but despite the league difference Dartmouth gave the Cougars a very even game in the first half and battled till the final whistle.

It looked to be a glorious day for hockey and after just 4 minutes Helen Symons opened the scoring with a great run and on the angle managed to beat the Dartmouth keeper on her near post.
With the first goal done the Cougars wanted to concentrate on moving the ball better and working off the ball to help take it forward and apply pressure from all over the pitch.

As the game started to settle Kingsbridge and Salcombe 1s started to dominate play and were awarded several short corners with Louise Read coming close on a couple of occasions. Despite this frustration the Cougars continued to hassle the busy Dartmouth defence and Laura Kerly’s persistence paid off when she managed to scramble the ball over the line making it 2-0.
As time ticked on chances for the Prem2b team were coming thick and fast with a strong run up the pitch by defender Emily Read resulting in a short corner which was converted by Symons to end the first half 3-0.

After a firm team talk by coach Gary Blythe about keeping it simple and taking more care with the ball in the attacking D the Cougars started the second half more focused on playing better for each other.
Captain Fi Wadey rallied the troops and made crucial, well timed tackles down the left when Dartmouth looked to try and break and gave great through balls to forwards Sarah Budgen and Bex Darke, Darke made a fantastic run from an accurate pass from Symons to then trot into the D and smash home a goal.
Although the Cougars were now 4 ahead Dartmouth didn’t give up and made some tough tackles in defence to try and ease their pressure but with 50minutes played Symons was once again striking at the keeper who saved the initial shot but quick reactions by Budgen saw her poach the ball from the rebound making it 5-0.
Dartmouth began to tire which allowed the Cougars more time to move the ball, some great back around work played by Vice Captain Esme Ansley, Gemma Harvey and Emily Read gave them width bringing wide players Fern Tucker and Abi Bell into the game which placed more pressure on the away team.

The Cougars were still on the hunt for more goals and constant hassle from Kerly frustrated the Dartmouth team who gave away a free hit just outside the D and with the rule of self passing Kerly didn’t hang around and took the ball into the D and from the top smashed home another goal.
The challenge was set to see who if anyone would get their first hat-trick – Kerly or Symons.
With the game coming into the last 10 minutes Kingsbridge and Salcombe played sensible hockey and kept possession with better communication all around the pitch another goal was on the way. The Dartmouth keeper was very busy and made some fantastic saves but a rebound from Darke’s shot saw Symons claim the first hat trick of the season and a few minutes later Kerly completed her hat trick to make the final score 8-0.

Although the score line was high Dartmouth gave a great account of themselves and the club would like to wish them success in their first league fixture this weekend and for the season ahead.
A big thank you goes to Scrum v Catering for some much needed hot food after the match because the heavens opened in the second half. Also a big thank you to all the supporters who came to cheer everyone on. Player of the match was awarded to Laura Kerly.
This weekend Kingsbridge and Salcombe 1s face Exe 2s in their first league game of the season push back 11 o'clock at KCC. Everyone welcome.