Hockey finally back on the sporting menu

Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club has returned to action after the long Covid lockdown, with five teams playing friendly fixtures at the weekend.
With the leagues officially abandoned earlier in the year, the club is aiming to arrange a series of friendly games that will take them into May.
Another feature of the games will be that some of the teams will be combining as other activities, away from hockey, are placing competing demands on some members.
On the women’s side of the club, while the first-team didn’t have a fixture, the second/third team travelled to White Eagles 2, and came away with a win by 2-3.
The women’s fourth team also travelled to play White Eagles 3, and also won, 0-2.
The teams on the men’s side of the club did not fare so well, with the first-team losing 0-6 at home to Torbay.
The men’s seconds did better in their home fixture, with a 0-0 draw against Tiverton.
And in the last fixture of the day, the combined thirds and fourths’ team lost at home against Isca E, 1-4.
Looking ahead to this weekend, White Eagles will be providing the opposition for three teams on the ladies’ side of the club, while the men’s first/seconds and thirds/fourths are both due to take on sides from East Devon Hockey Club.