Sidmouth and Ottery Hockey Club (SOHC) ladies’ 1st XI were beaten 4-0 when they travelled to Barnstaple to take on a powerful Taw Valley side.

The first push back was won by Sophie Hudson and SOHC began well, but the home side opened the scoring with a slick counter-attack.

SOHC looked to hit back, but, despite plenty of industry and effort, they were unable to breach a disciplined home defensive line while, at the other end of the pitch, Taw Valley scored three further goals.

That was the end of the scoring as SOHC dug deep, showing good levels of fitness to compete in all areas of the pitch.

There were some terrific individual performances, when, after the break, SOHC dominated periods of play, but without ever breaching that solid back line.