Devonport Services Festival: Duchy do the Double in Plymouth
Posted by on 1 July 2018
Duchy’s Men and Women made it a double tournament win with victories in the inaugural Devonport Services Festival, on a scorching day in Plymouth
In a knockout-style competition, both Duchy teams were in the second semi-finals, so had a chance to make camp and get a first sight of the opposition, with Devonport Services Women edging their tie with OPM in a penalty shootout, before United Services Portsmouth Men snuck a 1-0 win against OPM.
Duchy’s Women then took to the field and quickly gained the lead against US Portmouth, with Lucy Allen opening the scoring from a penalty corner before Amy Looker made it 2-0 win a close-range effort. Duchy dominated the match throughout, and claimed the biggest win of the day with Allen scoring a further three goals to take the final score to 5-0 and set up a final against Devonport.
It was a closer affair for Duchy’s Men, who edged their semi-final 1-0 against Devonport with Lee Selby scoring the decisive goal with ten minutes remaining
The Duchy teams then had a time for a beer and burger whilst the 3rd-4th playoffs took place, with Portsmouth beating 1-0 OPM in the Women’s match, before Devonport Men narrowly won their game with OPM, claiming victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw.
Duchy’s women then contested their final, and despite dominating possession took until ten minutes from time to score the only goal of the game against Devonport, with Amy Looker firing home from six yards to claim the win.
The Men’s final saw Duchy take on Portsmouth, and it was the northerners who took an early lead with a neat strike before Ben Flint restored parity from the penalty spot after a foot on the goalline. An end-to-end game continued, however a quickfire double from Lee Selby saw Duchy extend the lead to 3-1, with Portsmouth then piling on the pressure for the final minutes.
With three minutes remaining Portsmouth cut the deficit to 3-2 with a well-worked penalty corner, however Duchy hung on to record a narrow victory and make a double celebration.
Massive thanks to Devonport Services for their organisation and hospitality; and to US Portsmouth and OPM for an enjoyable and well-spirited tournament.
Women's Results
Devonport p0-0 OPM
Duchy 5-0 US Portsmouth
US Portsmouth 1-0 OPM
Duchy 1-0 Devonport
Men's Results
US Portsmouth 1-0 OPM
Duchy 1-0 Devonport
Devonport p1-1 OPM
Duchy 3-2 US Portsmouth
