Sidmouth HC 3rd XI 4, Ottery Crickets 1

Sidmouth HC Men’s 3rd XI claimed victory in this local derby, which was the last friendly before the start of the league season, writes Andrew Coley.

With no fourth team match, the side was able to have regular substitutions, giving the players the chance to maximise their effort.

Sidmouth applied pressure from the start and took the lead when Cliff Davies deflected the ball past the visiting keeper.

Ottery responded with good hockey and soon levelled the scores.

the team responded and built up good attacks and won a short corner from which Steve Morton scored - his first for the club since around 1995.

going into half time, the players relaxed a little, giving Ottery the chance to put some attacks together, although keeper Graham Munday had little to trouble him.

Club coach Laurence Cole told the players at half time that he expected to see more effort in the second half.

The team responded with a free-flowing move down the left, which resulted in Miles Warren scoring.

Richard Lucas scored the team’s fourth goal to confirm the victory.

Sidmouth were delighted to have Gareth Pettis taking up umpiring duties again, after a long lay-off.