North Devon Hockey Club

Happy summertime everyone!☀️

We're excited to announce our summer training is starting soon!

First session back is Tuesday 2nd June from 7-8pm.

The sessions will be every Tuesday for 9 weeks with our pre season starting shortly after.

All abilities welcome. If you're fancying to get out in the evening sun and some good hockey fun, please come along!😎

Another season done and dusted. Thanks to everyone who attended our AGM and shared the success we have seen this year. Thanks to all our members, our coaches, our umpires and our supporters.

Here's to the next one! 💙🧡🤍

What a great evening celebrating our juniors! Celebrating a season of hard work, teamwork, and a whole lot of heart! Congratulations to our winners 🏆

💙🧡🤍

✨TEAM SPOTLIGHT✨

North Devon concluded their season with a hard-fought 3–2 victory away at second-placed Truro. With only pride at stake, the match featured a special milestone as father-and-son duo Matt and Micah Upward made their first joint appearance for the 1s squad.

The home side dominated the early exchanges, but North’s defensive line—anchored by Matt Brown, Jay Corden, Oscar Spear, and Dylan Evans—held firm. Captain and goalkeeper Sam Wormington proved instrumental, delivering a series of vital saves to keep the game scoreless at the interval.

Tactical shifts at halftime saw top scorer Pete Smale sidelined by a hamstring injury, making way for Joe Taylor-Richards and Micah Upward. These changes paid immediate dividends as North Devon took control in the second half.

The deadlock was broken when Taylor-Richards rounded the keeper to slot home. He quickly doubled the lead with a composed finish before completing a stellar hat-trick, latching onto a flick from Evans to lob the stranded goalkeeper and make it 3–0.

Truro mounted a late comeback, capitalising on two short corners to narrow the deficit to 3–2. However, a strategic clearance by Cockcroft in the final seconds ensured North Devon secured a rare and memorable away win to head into the summer break on a high.

🏑RESULTS🏑

On the final day of the season, two of our sides rounded out their campaign.

The Men’s 1s bagged a fantastic 2-3 away win against second-place Truro 1s, securing another stellar 6th place finish in the process and proving their credentials against the league’s high-fliers.

The Men’s 2s fought hard against the experienced, seasoned Taunton Vale 3s, ultimately falling to a 1-4 defeat against the league runners-up. Despite the loss, the effort on show was extraordinary and Will Simpson scored a superb first goal for the club.

The Ladies’ 2s home match against Exeter 6s was cancelled.

An incredible season from everyone this year, with stronger finishes for all four of our sides – enjoy summer 🌞 and see you next season!💪🏑

Saturdays are for... rugby?! 😵‍💫🏉

A few of our ladies went down to Exeter on a slightly different adventure to Sandy Park to take part in fundraising for and .

Enjoyed every minute, expect the last one where Saints got the winning try🫣

have been sponsors for the Men's side before our merger last season and have continued that support by sponsoring our kit and equipment. We truly appreciate the support and opportunity to be working with a charity that raises awareness about testicular cancer around the South West.

are hosting at Taunton Rugby Club on Saturday 20th June - make sure to grab tickets! 💙🧡🤍

Final team sheets of the season!💪

🌟FIXTURES🌟

Last games of the 25/26 season 😭

Unfortunately Ladies 2 game has been cancelled this week so both our Ladies sides had their last games last week. However, both of our Men's teams have one last run out tomorrow.

Men's 1 are on the road facing Truro 2.

Men's 2 are at home taking on Taunton Vale 3.

Good luck everyone!

✨TEAM SPOTLIGHT✨

In their penultimate clash of a topsy-turvy season, North Devon Men’s 2s travelled to Exeter for what would be a real test of mettle and moxie against Isca 6s. Working hard as a unit, and with just two substitutes, they conjured their first draw of the campaign.

The first half began with a bang for North, with Luke Brunton finding space in the D at the 4-minute mark and dispatching with aplomb to catch the home side off guard and give the visitors a vital early lead. The hosts, however, responded well, taking advantage of gaps in between North’s 4-3-3 formation and enjoying the lion’s share of the ball.

Despite their own frustrations, colourful language (unnoticed by the umpires, among other infractions) and silly mistakes proving detrimental to their cause, they ultimately broke through to level the affair when a piercing ball from the byline was met in the middle of the D by Isca’s awaiting striker. They would remain in the ascendancy until the half-time whistle, which North gladly welcomed.

The second half was a much more balanced affair, with North sporting a compact structure across the park and producing some excellent defensive work, particularly MOTM Sam Sampson. With North’s attackers dropping back to support the midfielders, their forward press seemed more cohesive. Exploiting space down either flank, North rallied to restore their lead. In a fine counterattack, they did just that: Ethan Jones collected the ball in the middle of the pitch and found Will Simpson on the right-hand side, who played the perfect ball across goal to Craig Carruthers to slot home at the far post for North’s second.

Despite this, Isca would respond strongly once more, upping the pressure going forward and threatening another equaliser. They achieved parity six minutes from time and set up a nervy finish for the visitors. Alas, thanks to some remarkable tenacity through the middle, the visitors held on for a point.

All things considered, a fine point against seasoned opposition, all but guaranteeing a stronger finish than last year in a tough league.

🏑RESULTS🏑

In the penultimate weekend of the season, all four of our teams were in action, bagging goals galore!

The Ladies’ 2s thrashed Sidmouth and Ottery 4s 1-4 on the road, putting them in a great position to secure a top-three finish next week.

The Ladies’ 1s ended their season in style with a 7-0 win against Exeter 4s, finishing level on points with Exeter University 5s and only falling short on goal difference.

The Men’s 2s earned a draw on the road against Isca 6s, securing an improved league position that they’ll hope to consolidate next week.

Despite a hard-fought affair, the Men’s 1s lost narrowly 3-4 at home to Plymouth Lions 2s. A strong midtable finish is all but secure.

Great effort, all! One more to go!