Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club men’s first team sit proudly on top of the fledgling Southern Two table after a third straight victory, this time a 4-1 win at home to Tavistock A.

Player availability was so much better – just three regulars were missing for the game against the five who were absent the week before.

The first half was a cagey affair with just the one goal scored and that took SOHC into the break with the advantage.

Whatever was said in the break clearly worked as, from the restart, SOHC had an extra stride in their step and played with greater tempo. There were some terrific individual shifts, particularly the one from Josh Miller, who made an impressive debut for the team.

With plenty of defensive options for the game, it allowed Lee Clayden and James Harris a chance to get higher up the pitch. Ade Brooker was also solid throughout in a defensive role and the goal-scoring honours were taken by hat-trick scoring Ali Slade.

Alas, the icing on the cake – a clean sheet – was not to be, but that was a rare lapse by an otherwise disciplined back line.

The team now sit two points clear at the top and can strengthen their position further this Saturday (October 21) when they entertain Camborne School of Mines at Ottery St Mary (12.30pm).

It’s a busy weekend for the senior side for they are also in Devon Cup action on Sunday when they travel to Torquay (noon).