IN their final National League match before the mid-season break, Ashmoor Men's 1st team got back to winning ways against a competitive Cardiff & Met side.

Ashmoor started well at their Totnes base with good movement through midfield and up front making life difficult for the Cardiff defence. Six minutes in Jack Dinnie won a penalty corner with a quickly taken free hit, and Ben Barnett, recently selected for England Under 18s dispatched it to give Ashmoor a 1-0 lead.

Ashmoor were moving the ball when and attacking in numbers, whilst also defending strongly when called upon.

After quarter-time the game continued in the same way with Ashmoor in the ascendency. Dinnie used good skills to win another penalty corner, and Barnett senior once again was clinical with his finish to put Ashmoor 2-0 up. Ashmoor were playing the better hockey and could have added to it - great work by George Galbraith setting up a chance for Rich Fisher, but the normally reliable striker kicked the ball under pressure from the Cardiff keeper.

After the half-time break Cardiff came out with renewed purpose and at times, Ashmoor looked likely to concede, yet they still kept their visitors at bay.

Cardiff’s best chances in the final quarter were coming from set-piece penalty corners but Ashmoor were equal to it until the last whistle, claiming all three points and doing 'the double' against Cardiff. Two clean sheets in the home and away fixtures meant that Ashmoor are the only team not to concede a goal against the side from Wales.

The win solidifies Ashmoor's position comfortably in the top half of the table, and only three points behind second place. Ben Barnett was awarded the Pallex Player of the Match award for his goals and all round quality display.

Attentions now turn to the Super Sixes Indoor Hockey competitions where they will compete in Division 1 against some of the best teams in the country. Next weekend, the Club Under 16 & Under 18 teams play in the West Indoor tournaments. The Under 18s, having won the National title last year, in particular will be aiming to qualify for the National Finals in January.

Meanwhile, Ashmoor Men's 2nd team shared the spoils with the Plymouth Uni 1st team on Saturday. Charles and Henry Walker scored one apiece to put Ashmoor comfortably 2-0 up, but the team took their foot off the gas and it was 2-2 by halftime.

Plymouth then took the lead after the break before Walker senior pegged them back- neither side could find that elusive winning goal.

Nevertheless, Ashmoor are still in second spot in the division, and this weekend they host Devonport Services 1st XI at Totnes in their final league game before the mid season break.

Lastly, Ashmoor Men's 3rd team were defeated 5-0 at Teign 1sts. Reuben Keeling was awarded Player of the Match for his sterling efforts in goal for Ashmoor.

This weekend the Women's 1st XI finish their first half season league programme with a home match against Kingsbridge & Salcombe 2nd XI. Meanwhile the Men's 3rd team travel to play Taunton Vale 5th XI, whilst the 4th team are hosting Isca.

Image courtesy of Mark Lockett Photography.