MINEHEAD & West Somerset Hockey Club men’s second team have clinched the West Concorde Division 2 League title in some style - with one game in hand - following an impressive 9-0 victory at home against Bristol Firebrands 5s.

As the game got under way the home side dominated play in the visitors’ half, creating chances from the off. inehead benefitted from having a younger side and with their fast ball distribution the pressure was on the visitors right from the very start. It wasn’t long before they were on the scoreboard but they were mindful they could not settle for a one or two goal lead; they needed to put themselves in a position to secure a win.

But they need not have worried. At half time - it was 6-0. They just needed to keep cool and see how many more they could put away after the interval.

During the second half, FIrebrands double-downed in defence and Minehead spent what seemed like twenty minutes solely in their D without managing to snap upanother goal. Their keeper seemed to have found his rhythm making some great saves from the many shots and short corners created by the home side.

It was getting increasingly frustrating not to have another score in the second half, though Minehead were under little pressure from their attack.

However in the last ten minutes, the home side broke through again, scoring three goals, including an impressive volley from John Clegg just before the final whistle to end the game with a resounding victory - a Clegg hat-trick, two for Jack Lancaster and Lawrence Taylor, and one each for Strong and Sam Cobb.

This is the first time the seconds have won their league in many years and was achieved with a game in hand and scoring over 100 goals so far this season.

The team has dominated the league and the performances have truly been team efforts with great camaraderie and enjoyable hockey.

Minehead Men’s 3s travelled to Cullompton to face Culm Valley Hornets 3s. This was going to be a tough match for Minehead against a team who had only lost two matches to date.

The lineup looked promising though and the away side took up a brisk pace despite comments from the opposition that it should be an easy win for them and the visitors’ age was against them!

Richard Churchill took them by surprise with a great outfield goal coming in from the left, repeating his form from the previous match. Hornets had rolling substitutions and were making the most of it in an attempt to wear the opposition down but good team play and all positions making an effort meant the two sides were well matched although a goal from Hornets made 1-1.

Scott Fewings, however, put this right with a trademark break through the middle and scoring for the visitors to take the lead.

Hornets opened the second half by walking a goal in while the Minehead defence were playing too high, Ben Moody soon put this right with a goal to make it 3-2. The rest of the match was neck and neck but Minehead battened down the hatches and continually frustrated the Hornets attacks.

The final score was a 3-2 victory and a great win for Minehead 3s.