England Hockey Mixed Cup

Bridgwater 7, Penzance 1

BRIDGWATER’S mixed team showed their potential in a dominant win on Sunday.

Bridgwater started brightly and the breakthrough came from captain Duncan Morrish, who broke into the D and slotted the ball into the far corner.

Will Pope grabbed two goals in quick succession after some stunning interplay, and it was soon 4-0 after Paul Tilley deftly deflected in a Laura Coles cross.

Pope went on to grab his hat-trick, and although Penzance pulled one back, Morrish made it 6-1 and Charlotte East scored the seventh.

Player of the match: Will Pope

Verde Recreo Men's League Central 1

Firebrands B 2, Bridgwater 2

BRIDGWATER men's 1sts' title bid suffered a blow, as they dropped points away to Firebrands on Saturday.

With only a bare 11, Bridgwater were on the back foot early on and had to withstand wave after wave of attack, but they held firm.

In a rare break, forwards Jordan Rawles, Will Pope and Todd Barrett each had their part to play in a great move, Barrett making it 1-0.

At the other end, Rob Morrish made a stunning save with his face – losing a tooth and a fair bit of blood for the cause – but a scrappy goal for the hosts made it 1-1.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first, Firebrands dictating the play, but again Bridgwater went ahead after a short corner move found its way to the bloodied Rob Morrish, who buried his first league goal in nearly three years.

Yet, just as it looked like they would hold out for a gritty victory, Firebrands levelled again with only five minutes to go.

Player of the match: Lee Chorley

West Central 1

Bridgwater A 4, Old Bristolians A 3

THE 2nd XI hosted Old Bristolians, the team sitting third in the league.

The visitors pressed from the off and with Bridgwater struggling to get out of their half, and despite some good saves from goalkeeper Dom Rauch, Old Bristolians went ahead with a deflected effort.

A deft touch from the visiting striker made it 2-0 at half time, but the home team knew they were lucky not to be further behind.

The hosts came out firing, and a rapid break led to Tom Lott's cross being swept in by Harry Rose, before Joe Syvret flicked the ball over the keeper to equalise.

Bridgwater had the momentum, and they completed the turnaround with another counter-attack, Rose running half the length of the pitch and firing home.

The shell-shocked visitors then conceded a fourth, as Lott's shot was saved but Syvret swept in his second.

Old Bristolians did pull one back from a short corner, but it proved a mere consolation goal.

Player of the match: Dom Rauch

West Central 2

Bridgwater B 3, Mendip A 1

BRIDGWATER 3rds returned to winning ways with a vital 3-1 win against Mendip, and with league leaders South Gloucester only managing a draw, they moved to within two points of the summit.

The game ebbed and flowed, with neither side able to truly dominate.

The away side broke the deadlock, but this only kick-started a Bridgwater response.

Two Phil Morrish penalty flicks put his side ahead, and Simon Burland’s goal settled matters.

Player of the match: Jim Smith

South East 2

Teign A 8, Bridgwater C 0

THE 4th XI found selection a bit tricky this week, calling up a large contingent of the D team.

Coming up against very strong opponents at home is never easy, and the gulf in ability showed in the scoreline.

But to each Bridgwater player's credit, no-one shied away and everyone gave maximum effort.

Player of the match: Bertie Kelly

West Clubs Women's League Central Division

Bridgwater 1, Firebrands 3rds 5

BRIDGWATER ladies 1sts remain in relegation danger after succumbing 5-1 to high-flying Firebrands.

The hosts took the lead courtesy of an excellent ball into the D from Heidi Martin, enabling Sapphy Reed-Yang to slot the ball into the corner.

Both sides had good chances and the game was more even than the scoreline would suggest, but Firebrands got the goals they needed from some well-worked short corner routines.

Player of the match: Sapphy Reed-Yang & Donna Cooper

Bridgwater host Taunton Civil Service – both teams level on nine points – at home this coming Saturday.

Sedgemoor Division 2

Sidmouth and Ottery 2nds 9, Bridgwater 2nds 0

THE Ladies 2nds came unstuck against the league's second-placed side on Saturday.

Sidmouth started well and scored two early goals, Bridgwater struggling to get out of their own half and conceding four more before half time.

Some tactical tweaks allowed the visitors to enjoy more possession, but Sidmouth were quick on the counter-attack and scored another three.

Player of the match: Rachel Higgs.