THE 2026-27 hockey season starts on Saturday, September 26, with all four Minehead & West Somerset Hockey club sides in action across the region.

After an amazingly successful Summer Charity League competition in August, there was only time for a single pre-season friendly match which saw one Men’s and one Ladies’ side travel to Tiverton White Eagles last Saturday.

The Ladies were on first and were straight in to exerting pressure from the midfield and out to the wings. Pressure wasn’t converted to a lead, and it was the Tiverton’s turn to press and gain penalty corners. Becca in goal did well to clear a couple of shots and keep Minehead in the chase. It took until the second half for a couple of trademark breaks from deep, via the midfield and on to Morgan who took the ball round the last defender and laid off to Amy to slot in past the keeper for a well-earned 1-0 win.

The men’s side was a true mix of players from all three teams, so it took a while to gel as a unit, and were faced with a fit and relentless Tiverton midfield. Hardick’s calming influence in midfield worked well with White, Jones, and the Boltons.

Man of the Match Bagg in goal was extremely busy, and frustrated Tiverton with a 100% save rate. Wheaton settled nerves when he eventually converted one of his chances, frequently supplied by Hooper on the left, and Rufus Strong executed a beauty of a chip over the keeper late in the second half to cap off a win and a great individual performance.

Tomorrow, September 26, the Ladies are at home to Exeter 4’s, the Men’s 1’s are home to Clifton Robinsons, while the 2’s and 3’s travel to Mid-Somerset and Sidmouth.