CORNWALL PLATE FINAL
Caradon Ladies 2: 1
Newquay 2: 0

Caradon and their travelling bus of supporters made the early trip down to Penzance for a full club day of hockey at the Cup and Plate Finals on Saturday. With Caradon 2s the first game up at 10am, the team were in high spirits but determined to bring home the silverware.

Caradon started well putting pressure on the Newquay defence, despite playing each other twice already in Trelawney 1 and Caradon winning both games, finals day is always a different feel and with the crew shouting and cheering from the bank they were unlucky not to get an early goal.

It was a normal line up but with some players suffering from injuries and recovering from illness, subs were used clinically to keep up the pace and push for that elusive first strike. The forward two of Katie Fear and Laura Hill were using quick passing and stick skills to dent the defensive line, with support from the midfield of Lauren Gouge, Natalie Ridgers, Carina Hodge, Helen Manley and Kirsty Merrin backing them up with quick responses and neat passing.

The hard work finally paid off when Laura Hill was right place, right time to slot home the goal Caradon had deserved, much to the delight of the team and the support.

The gears went up in the second half, both teams took a lot from the break and the refreshment stop put the game into another level with a more balanced end to end match. Neither team were ready to fold or give up, Caradon could have easily ‘parked the bus’ and just defended out their lead, but this is never really how Caradon play and they wanted to get another goal to get that buffer needed to relax a little.

Newquay were throwing everything at Caradon now, midfielders were tracking back and the backline who have been stellar this season – Rachael Spencer, Marcia Burgess, Captain Claire Brown, Nicole Harding with Neve Hunn infront and Lynn Oxenham between the sticks, strong saves were made and positive clearances pushed Caradon on.

With 5 minutes left on the clock and the impending penalty shuffles if Newquay were to score and end the game on a draw, they took their keeper off and swapped for an extra outfield player. Despite the added mind games of this decision, Caradon kept to their game plan and team structure almost getting that second goal with Hill again pouncing on a loose ball only to be gallantly saved off the line by a determined Newquay defender much to the relief of their team and support.

At last the final whistle blew and although it wasn’t the most pretty game of hockey Caradon had played this season, they got the job done and held on to their lead in a strong and confident manner topping off a fantastic couple of months of hockey. Welcoming the summer break, the team will be looking forward to the league return in September and a push for promotion as well as aiming to retain the Cornwall Plate for another year.

 

CORNWALL CUP FINAL
Caradon Ladies 1: 3
Falmouth 1: 3
(Falmouth win 5-4 on penalties)

Caradon put on the performance of their season in the county cup game against premiership team Falmouth, and were very unlucky to lose on penalty shuffles after the game finished 3-3.

After a successful league campaign where Caradon were undefeated winners of Division 2, they were  definitely the underdogs but with confidence high and an electric atmosphere created by the travelling supporters they knew they had a chance. 

Caradon had a brilliant start, winning several penalty corners in the first 5 minutes, but as Falmouth settled it was the favourites who took the lead. The pacey left wing was creating all kinds of problems for Caradons defence and it was from her good work that Falmouth found themselves 2-0 up. Caradon could have imploded at this point as coming from behind is not what they have been used to this season. Emma Gliddon was switched to right back and her pace and tenacity snuffed out Falmouths danger player. Molly Walsh and Beth Harris were in control of the centre of the pitch and with Claire Mitchell linking well with the forwards, Caradon were enjoying the majority of play. With minutes to play before the half time whistle, Bizzie Dinnis deflected home a penalty corner to get Caradon back in the game. 

With a focused and positive team talk, Caradon came our determined in the second half. They were playing the better hockey and limiting Falmouth to half chances which were easily dealt with by defenders Ju Eldridge, Lucie Kay and Daisy Hunn. 
Caradon got their deserved equaliser after good work from Saffy Barriball- Cripps and Ellen Spencer on the left, a great run from Libby Walsh was found and she smartly smashed it home beyond the helpless keeper. The game was now end to end, with both teams playing great attacking hockey. The only thing to spoil the spectacle of hockey was a rather strange decision by the umpire to award a penalty flick to Falmouth for an unseen foul in the circle. Both teams and spectators alike where bemused but Falmouth converted to give them a 3-2 lead with 5 minutes remaining. 
Thankfully this was not the defining moment as Caradon showed fantastic spirit and pressed hard for the equaliser. This seasons top goal scorer, Bizzie Dinnis, turned over possession and scored from a tight angle much to everyone's delight!

Caradon had chances in the dying moments but it was left to the dreaded penalty shuffles to decide the winner. 
Penalty Shuffles are a relatively new way of deciding a cup final so experience at them in an intense atmosphere had not been experienced before, but with keeper Helen Delbridge Caradon knew they stood a chance. Molly Walsh, Clare Mitchell, Bizzie Dinnis, Saffy Cripps and skipper Clare Poad were the nominated takers. In the first round 3 were converted, the same as Falmouth so the completion went to sudden death. 
It was nail biting stuff and despite everyone's best efforts and Delbridge being the hero on numerous penalties, Falmouth scored the one that gave them the title. Winning 5-4 on penalties after 3-3 at full time. 

Caradon 1s can be extremely proud of the hockey they played and the way they represented to club in such an intense atmosphere. This performance will give them confidence for the challenge of division 1 next year and the hope that they will get another chance in the cup final next year.