Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club (SOHC) ladies first team took part in a terrific end-to-end encounter with Hornets that saw nine goals scored, but it was SOHC on the wrong end of the result as they lost 5-4.

SOHC made a slow start and that was exploited by Hornets who struck twice to take a 2-0 lead.

Once SOHC did find their feet they began to take a foothold in the contest and, with some slick midfield play and a period of sustained pressure that left them camped on the edge of the Hornets D, they were rewarded with a couple of goals from the outstanding Alice Please who fully warranted her post match Player of the Match award.

However, Hornets continued to give as good as they got and they netted twice more to hold a 4-2 interval lead.

After some much needed half time jelly babies, SOHC began the second half with a good tempo to their game and it was no more than they deserved when Please complete her hat-trick, scoring from then narrowest of angles.

Further high pressure play from SOHC saw excellent forays forward from Jasmine Scott, Aimee Keast, Diana Dormor and Megan Thompson-Summers before Hannah Dale slotted a lovely ball pass the keeper to level things up at 4-4.

Despite a sterling defensive effort from Rebecca Bond, Hannah Lane, Hannah Peters and keeper Becky Delasalle, Hornets scored once more to take the victory.

All in all it was a great team effort, and full credit must go to Hornets who continued deserved their win, but special mention must be made of the debut performance for SOHC of Diana Dormer.