Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club (SOHC) began their life as a Southern One team with a 3-2 away win at Truro.

Fielding a changed side from that that had secured promotion at the end of last season, SOHC got off to a nervy start and trailed to an early counter-attack goal, finished off from close range.

After going behind, SOHC took a foothold in the contest and dominated possession but without finding an equaliser and half-time arrived with Truro still holding the lead.

SOHC made a confident start to the second half, but again, despite seeing plenty of the ball, goals were not forthcoming until Lee Clayden struck with two penalty corner goals in quick succession. Truro had some problems with discipline and injuries that left them down to 10 men, but they battled on and levelled inside the last five minutes.

Boosted by the goal, the home side peppered the SOHC goal with a series of penalty corners before, in the closing moments, George Powell broke at pace and the supporting Henry Mutter was on hand to take a pass and apply a polished finish to seal a terrific opening day league success.

The SOHC Man of the Match award went to the excellent Max Moore.

The men’s 2nd XI went down 2-0 at home to ECVH II. A goal in each half gave the Hornets the victory. For SOHC, the star performer was Jim Harris, who had a fine match in the middle of the park.