Dartmouth Ladies 4,

DRFC 1

In this traditional Boxing Day 'friendly', the Dartmouth ladies were in no mood for giving anything away on this festive time of the year.

Try as they might, the rugby boys were beaten by a stronger, fitter side this year and the Dartmouth ladies just wanted to send out a message.

The message was that they will have a laugh and a joke, but when they put their pedal to the metal, they will take some holding back to be defeated.

The game started off with its traditional fast pace. The rugby boys usual tactics of 'shock and awe' worked to a certain degree and within 10 minutes gone Jake Lomas slotted the ball past Elley Malley.

The rugby boys started to turn the screw and went close again five minutes later, but from some strong defensive work from Chelsey Bonstow, Chloe Ed­wards, Han­nah Pillar and Julie Pillar the score line could well have been all so different, Nick Obelen­ski going close, together with Rory Shilli­beer.

The Dartmouth ladies did their bit to fight back, with Lucy Pillar, Siobhan Ed­wards and Lisa Hunt going close, but the score remained 1-0 to the rugby boys up to the half-time whistle. Marge Rendle and hubby Mark umpired the first half before Mark handed over the umpiring to Joppy Pillar for the second half.

The second half got under way and with director of hockey Jeff Hunt consulting with coach Matt Putt, there was a slight change to the ladies' team.

The new set-up saw Lisa Hunt and Jamie Rendle linking up again on the right side and Darcey Wall, Alicia Wadeson and Freya Bradley linking up well on the left flank.

Once again Chel­sey Rendle was keeping the back line in shape and virtually impregnable, with Putt giving Siobhan Edwards a free role in the mid along with Sarah Barrett.

It took the Dart­mouth ladies just four minutes to penetrate the tight DRFC defence after some nifty footwork from Siobhan Edwards.

She picked the ball up from deep and, taking on the RFC's defence, slotted the ball past the helpless 'keeper, Glen Alison.

That opened the gate for some good open hockey from the ladies.

The next goal came from a short corner. Chloe Edwards delivered to Lucy Pillar, who gave a 'show and go' and hit the back boards.

The next goal came from a brilliant solo effort from Lisa Hunt, who picked the ball up from Jamie Rendle on the right wing, took it into the D and smashed it past Alison.

The nail in the coffin came from Lucy Pillar with a training ground move. Sarah Barrett took a free hit and Lucy playing a one-two with Alix Vince before making no mistake with the finish.

With the game drawn to a close the final score was 4-1 to the ladies.

Brick of the day went to Hannah Pillar for trying to hit the ball and letting the stick go through her hands twice. The Rugby version of brick of the day went to Adam Sharam for spending more time on the floor than is allowed in any sport.

Dartmouth Hockey Club would like to thank Anita Bolton and sons Ben and Nick Cooper for making the game possible for the Rex Bolton trophy.

The trophy still hasn't come to light yet, so anyone who knows where it is and can be returned to the Dart­mouth ladies would be very much appreciated. The game was sponsored by the Old Inn at Halwell.