PLYMOUTH MARJON 2 v 2 OXFORD

 CARDIFF UNIVERSITY 3 V 2 PLYMOUTH MARJON A

After a long journey into deepest darkest Wales the more mature Plymouth side went straight for the second placed students from the off with an exquisite display of the passing game, but in the usual manner found themselves a goal down after Captain Sandry deflected a goal bound short corner even higher into the net and nearly took the head away from fellow defender Ben Cooper. As is the norm this was the signal for the visitors to absorb lots of pressure before Cooper was totally outclassed by the Welsh attacker and to add insult to injurer the home official decided Coops needed a few minutes on the side line to contemplate his rather rash challenge, or was that mistimed challenge. Un daunted by this, we are used to playing with extra spectators Plymouth pushed for the equaliser and met the usual response from the forwards and went in 1-0 at half time.

All was not lost and the game was there to be taken until Paul Jewell decided to assist the opposition by carefully teeing up the centre forward just shy of the penalty spot. 2-0 down but not out as Lewis Waitt returning from injury stormed up the pitch to upended in the D and what was that a penalty flick given in Wales, not happy with this the home keeper decided it was his turn for a 5 minute  rest which resulted in a 20 minute rest for everybody as a reserve keeper was found. On the restart Cooper, the nominated flick taker, strolled up to the spot and slowly dispatched the ball just over the line 2-1. It was now time for somebody to take control, but not the players, as Ithurralde and Aked were both given some time to cool off. I know the team talk said for them to work together but that just about takes the biscuit. Some fast talk from the home crowd lead to some fast talk from the umpires and it was nearly the captains tern to sit and watch but he held his nerve and pretended to call his players together and warn them of his impending doom. Down to 9 and still pushing Waitt entered the D again and this time managed to slot the ball home off a defenders nose 2-2 and looking good. Just time for one more twist and it had to be a penalty corner for the home team after Hill and Cooper protested their innocence after the former was hit high on the knee from a home pass just inside the half. Darn 3-2 to the home side after one of the best games this season against one of the best sides.

www.marjons-of-plymouth-hc.co.uk sponsored Man of the Match was Steve Moran and Steve Langton

DOD was yep you guessed it Paul Jewell and he even managed to get lost on the way to the pub.

PLYMOUTH MARJON LADIES 2nd 3 V 0 EXETER 2nd

Plymouth travelled to Exeter still missing a number of players some on holiday (again!) and some needing to play 1st team. As always the team acquitted themselves well playing some good hockey in a scrappy encounter with a team languishing near the bottom of the league. Anthea Arend scored from a penalty corner to take her level in total with her captain who will be looking to regain top spot next week! A good all round performance earned her the Wrigleys Player of the match. Further goals from Rachel Daw and Meredith Bone completed the score line taking Plymouth clear in the runners up spot before there crunch game with league leaders Bude, who cant be overtaken but victory away at Bude would be a fitting end to the season.

GOAL SCORERS