Women's 2nd XI Vs Penzance II (PLATE FINAL)

After securing Trelawney 1 hockey for another year, Caradon 2's last game for the 2016/17 season was in the final of the Cornwall Plate down at Penzance against Penzance 2s.

Despite the 10am pushback, the warm sunshine was already out and a slow pitch was going to require extra effort from the players. 

Determined as each game this season, they were keen to show their dominance from the start and get an early goal. It fell to Sarah 'Browner' Strevens to step up. One of her strong runs with the ball, she swept past two defenders coming at her and slotted home, much to the delight of the team and the impressive support Caradon brought down on a coach. With the impending heat rising and playing towards the sun, they wanted to add to their tally. Sadie Mullis was once again a force to be reckoned with on the wing, skipping past any threat and getting passes to stick up front. Jayne Longrigg found herself in prime position as a past from Sadie was collected by Helen Manley who slipped to Jayne to increase the lead to 2-0.

The game didn't come easy with both Browner and EJ leaving the pitch was injuries after tough tackles. Thankfully both were able to resume play and made an impact on the game.

Penzance got back into the game with quick counter attacks and clawed back with a short to make it 2-1. 

But Caradon had the confidence and play and had chances with short corners. With nothing from the first two, Abi Larigo was perfectly placed on the right post to deflect a top D shot from Jayne to chip over the goalies pad and make a convincing 3-1 scoreline at the half time break.

After taking on plenty of liquid and a few sub rearrangements, Caradon wanted to keep the pressure on Penzance as the game was far from over. A goal mouth scramble almost brought to game tighter as Penzance missed opportunity with chances saved by both goalie Bekki Eddy and defender Claire Brown off the line.  

Caradon won themselves another short corner with 15 minutes to go. A strong push out by Abi was met at the top of the D by captain Helen Manley who took a strong strike past the keeper, increasing the gap between the two teams.

The Caradon defence was tested more in the second half, it called on great intercepting by centre back Rachael Spencer and the combined sweeper rotation of Nic Dymond and Marcia Burgess to snuff out any threats on goal. Equally 'most improved player of the season' Georgia Hall was strong and confident in stopping wing attacks and clearing wide to Natalie Ridgers who was essential to supporting the front two. However Penzance grabbed a chance to stay in the game and nicked one into the goal but with only 5 minutes left, Caradon held on to win the title as 4-2 winners. A fantastic end to a season which has been a real learning curve for all the players, proving that hard work and determination really does pay off.