WEST HOCKEY LEAGUE WOMEN’S TRELAWNEY DIVISION ONE

Newquay Seconds 4 Bude 4

IZZY Sobey grabbed an equaliser with the last play of the game as Bude fought back from 4-0 down to earn a draw at Newquay Seconds on Saturday.

The Seasiders headed down to Truro’s Penair School, where Newquay play their matches, and soon found themselves behind as a weak pass on top of their own D was intercepted before a well-placed shot beat Rach Pomeroy.

Despite the defence of Naomi Hatcher, Eva Clarke, Clarey Westaway and Willow du Plessis standing firm, Newquay kept piling on the pressure and soon added a second.

Bude had a series of short corners which weren’t taken, and to sum up a frustrating first half, conceded again, ironically from another short corner as a cross to the back post was finished off.

Bude changed tactics at half-time, looking to keep better care of the ball, and despite a positive start were soon 4-0 down as a lofted cross was controlled before being swept into the net.

The visitors refused to give up and the ball was smoothly moving between the Bude’s midfield players, Mia Flynn, Evelyn Varcoe and Hannah Maloney.

The structure created by these players allowed for the attacking duo of Briony Varcoe and EJ Biggadike to be linked within play.

They pulled one back where Tammy Snowsill passed the ball to penalty spot to the perfectly positioned EJ Biggadike who did the rest.

This renewed Bude’s confidence and they kept growing from here.

Shortly after they found the back of the net once more with a second deflection from Snowsill to Briony Varcoe who beautifully smashed the second goal for Bude in the bottom corner.

Newquay were not seen to rest and kept their attack high but were unable to get through the strengthened Bude defence.

The Seasiders were once again noted to be building the ball all the way from the defensive end through the team and towards Newquay’s goal.

A quick pass was made from Snowsill to Briony Varcoe whereby it was deflected back to Snowsill who found Katie Jackson positioned on the back post awaiting for the final deflection into the goal.

With them back in it at 4-3, spirits were now high although with only a few minutes left, time wasn’t on their side.

Bude were remaining on a high attack in Newquay’s defensive 25.

After a slight delay caused by a home player stopping time from a leg cramp, play restarted with Bude hungry for the final goal which duly arrived.

The ball was passed between Hatcher, du Plessis, Biggadike and eventually Sobey who drove towards the D where she managed to win a short corner.

The first attempt didn’t amount to the equaliser, but they did at least win a second short corner out of it.

Bude reconvened with a quick discussion of the use of a third deflection and Hatcher injected the ball to Briony Varcoe who sent the ball goal-bound, where Snowsill deflected it on to the post for Hatcher to pass across goal for Sobey who found the net.

Screams and cheers were heard from the Bude side as their fourth and final goal was scored just seconds before the ending whistle.

A remarkable game concluded with a deserved point for Bude who showed plenty of character from an almost impossible position.

The player of the match award for the visitors went to EJ Biggadike for her sheer determination and willingness to keep making those attacking runs.

Bude will hope for a slightly less drama-filled afternoon on Saturday when they welcome University of Plymouth Seconds (11.30am).