Bodmin 2 (2), Ottery Crickets (0) 1

this was never going to be Crickets' day. One of their cars was severely damaged in an accident en-route and they had to re-organise their transport. The team arrived in Bodmin almost 1hr 30 mins late and disappointingly, having liaised with their opposition, were expected to start almost immediately by the umpires, writes Steve Ellison.

Without their coach, who was stranded back in Exeter, they started the game ill-prepared and with three enforced changes due to player injury, illness or non-availability. Crickets conceded two unnecessary goals in the first half after ceding possession in poor positions.

The second half was a different story for a number of reasons. They played the better hockey and offered league leaders Bodmin few chances. Crickets also scored a late short corner converted by Carl Frid with an unstoppable strike following Sheaves’ injection and Dockley’s stop.

The half also saw a return of ill-discipline to the team, a weakness that they have worked hard on to eradicate in recent months. Fraser’s yellow card effectively put the evenly balanced game beyond their reach. It left the team reflecting on what might have been.

On a positive note it provided additional motivation for their next game, their local derby against Sidmouth at Colin Tooze, Sat January 28, at 2pm.