FOLLOWING their opening league victory on the road against promoted Cardiff & Met, Ashmoor men's 1st team faced a strong challenge against well-established Division One side Team Bath Buccaneers, who were narrowly relegated at the end of last season.

Like Ashmoor, Bath had also won on the opening weekend so the scene was set for a thrilling encounter, and so it proved!

Lewie Jones and George Galbraith were selected in a strong Ashmoor squad. The team started at an electric pace with Ashmoor's midfield and forwards linking up superbly to create a number of early chances. The Bath keeper had to be on fine form but even he was beaten when Tom Barnett saw a back-foot shot come back off the post.

Minutes later Sol Bloomfield played in Jack Dinnie but his effort was well saved. The goal deservedly came from another great team interchange. Theo Bennett played it inside to Bloomfield who picked out Jones. He unselfishly laid it on a plate for Rich Fisher to slot in at the back post. It was the start of an eventful afternoon for the Ashmoor striker.

Into the second quarter and Bath had one of their few first half chances - a penalty corner which was dealt with well by Ashmoor's defence. Just on halftime, Dinnie was fouled in the shooting area and Ashmoor were awarded a penalty stroke. However, hoping for a 2-0 lead at the interval, the normally reliable Fisher fired over the crossbar.

After the break, Ashmoor were seeking a second goal and found themselves awarded another penalty stroke. Fisher stepped up confidently, but this time saw his effort hit the post, still only 1-0!

Good chances were still being created by Ashmoor, but when Bath won a penalty corner, their perseverance paid off - after Ben Blundy in Ashmoor's goal saved the first effort, a rebound was deflected onto the post, and Bath buried it for 1-1.

At the start of the last quarter, Fisher was maybe unfortunate to find himself in the sin bin, but his team coped admirably with reduced numbers, the GK & defence keeping out a number of penalty corner chances.

With ten minutes remaining, youngster Tom Barnett was harshly penalised for what was interpreted as a deliberate stick tackle, and Bath had the chance for the lead with a penalty stroke of their own.

However, Pallex Player of the Match Blundy had other ideas and made a terrific save to keep the scores level. Ashmoor came through the tough spell with great resilience, and when Dinnie had his stick taken, they were awarded a corner this time. Captain Jamie Bishop worked a lovely one-two but just couldn't get his shot away with the goal beckoning.

As if there hadn't been enough drama already, Sam Wakeham dribbled through and managed to get a shot away which resulted in a penalty corner. With the final whistle sounding, this was to be the last play of the match.

Ashmoor put the ball goalwards, and Fisher turned villain to hero as he dispatched the ball into the back of the net to give Ashmoor the win and all three points!

This weekend, Ashmoor have another home match when they will be aiming to make it three wins from three in the "Devon Derby" against Isca. The match is on Sunday at 1pm, and all support is welcome at their Totnes base in this free-to-see game.

Photography courtesy of Mark Lockett.