England Hockey National League Conference West.

Ashmoor Men's 1st XI. 3

University of Exeter Men's 2nd XI. 1

ASHMOOR Men's 1st team returned to winning ways with a fantastic second-half squad performance, coming back from 1-0 down to finish as 3-1 victors in an entertaining local derby against Exeter University in the National Hockey League.

Ashmoor once again gifted their opposition an early goal, a poor touch from Wakeham teeing the ball up for Exeter's most prolific striker who buried his shot to give the Uni boys a 1-0 lead inside four minutes.

Ashmoor went immediately on the offensive to try to rectify this setback. A couple minutes later George Galbraith drove into the opposition shooting circle and won a penalty corner which Ben Barnett fired just wide.

The hosts were starting to thread together some better phases of play, and when the Uni defence encroached on an excellent Barnett aerial ball into their D, Ashmoor had a second penalty corner chance. Unfortunately, they couldn't get a shot away this time.

As halftime approached the younger of the Barnett brothers won a third penalty corner, but in an almost identical routine, older brother Ben put his shot fractionally wide from the set piece.

After the interval, Ashmoor came out determined to get themselves back in the game, shooting close once again.

Midway through the quarter, Jack Dinnie found Cathan Wherry on the left side of the shooting area, and he was fouled for Ashmoor's fourth penalty corner of the match. This time Bishop took on the captain's responsibility and roofed his drag flick to make it 1-1.

Ashmoor were now in the ascendency but invited pressure on themselves with some sloppy passing out from the back. Fortunately, nothing came from the Exeter penalty corner awarded.

With the scores level, Ashmoor started the final quarter with great intent. Midway through, T Barnett made amends for an earlier air-shot when a battling display won another penalty corner. The keeper saved Ashmoor's effort, and Rich Fisher couldn't put away the rebound.

Chances were coming from the lively Ashmoor forward line, and the crowd went wild when Fletch Naisbett-Jones rifled an unstoppable shot past the Uni keeper to make it 2-1 to Ashmoor.

Hero almost immediately turned villain when a poor stick tackle by the goalscorer led to a si-bin offence. Once again, the Ashmoor defence held firm against the resulting penalty corner.

Ashmoor weren’t finished yet, and another excellent counterattack meant Tom Barnett was able to win a final penalty corner for Ashmoor. Brother Ben duly dispatched it to leave the final score as a 3-1 victory for Ashmoor.

The win solidifies fourth place in the West Conference, but Ashmoor have the chance to cause some damage above them when they face league leaders Clifton Robinsons in Bristol this Sunday. George Galbraith was named as the Pallex Player of the Match for his assured display in this, a fourth win of the season for Ashmoor.

Elsewhere, the Ashmoor women’s 1st XI beat Dawlish 8-0, top scorer Tilly McEwen striking five with Zoe Harris and Laura Colwill (2) also finding the net.

For the men’s 2nd XI, it was a much tighter affair. They prevailed by two goals to one against North Devon, Dec Turner and Charles Walker with the goals.

The men’s 3rd XI lost 4-2 at Exeter & Culm Vale Hornets.