MINEHEAD Hockey Club’s lst XI hosted Sidmouth and Ottery 2 XI in their final fixture of the season. With league leaders Tiverton having already picked up a win earlier that morning to end any chance of Minehead stealing the title on the final day, it should have eased any pressure on the hosts.

However, the game began in a rather scrappy fashion, Both teams ceding possession with few clear opportunities created in the opening exchanges. With around 15 minutes played, Minehead won a penalty corner from which a flick by Heale was stopped on the line by an opposition foot, a penalty stroke was awarded. However, in uncharacteristic fashion, Heale failed to hit the target from the ensuing flick and so the game remained scoreless. A few minutes later, Heale was able to redeem himself by opening the scoring with a tidy finish from the edge of the D.

Minehead controlled possession for the remainder of the first half with the occasional lapse in concentration enabling Sidmouth to counter. The hosts doubled their lead towards the end of the half with Jones, pushing forward from left back to net his first of the day.

The second half continued in a similar manner, more mistakes being made by both teams perhaps attributed to the warm weather sapping energy after a long season. Minehead extended their lead further with Hooper deflecting home after a mazy run from Speed, before Bolton smashed home just a few minutes later.

Minehead won another penalty corner just as full time approached with Jones converting with the very last touch of the game to double his tally for the day.

A 5-0 victory to round off a largely successful season with the 1st XI finishing second in the league, just a point behind the champions.