DUCHY 4 PENZANCE A 3

A scintillating finish from Duchy saw the Black-and-Whites maintain their unbeaten home record, scoring four times in the final ten minutes to overturn a three goal deficit against a shell-shocked Penzance A.

For the opening sixty minutes it appeared as though Penzance would be the first side to defeat Duchy on their own turf, taking advantage of a dire showing from the home side by storming to a 2-0 half time lead, before adding a third after ten minutes of the second period.

With time running out Will McKenzie swept home a reply for Duchy, and the goal signalled the start of an incredible turnaround with a further goal from McKenzie and a brace from Kev Bennetts overhauling the 3-0 scoreline to give Duchy a famous win.

The first half would see Duchy suffer a hangover from their defeat at PGSOB, playing their most lacklustre hockey of the season and allowing Penzance to dominate the game.

The visitors took advantage as Duchy repeatedly conceded possession, scoring twice from well worked penalty corners through Alan Hampshire and Martin Prodger, and Penzance could have extended the lead to three but for a solid save from Richardson and a clearance on the goal-line from Dave Wilkes.

Despite a half time dressing-down from their manager Duchy were unable to improve, and with ten minutes of the restart had fallen three goals behind when Prodger scored his second of the day with a straight strike from another penalty corner.

As the match moved into the final quarter, Penzance started to sit back on their three goal lead, and Duchy finally began to threaten, although missed chances combined with solid keeping from Penzance's Hale, maintained the gap between the sides.

With ten minutes to go Duchy broke their duck through McKenzie who swept home Max Chippett's cross from close range, and the goal sparked just the hint of a comeback for the home side so that when, two minutes later, Duchy scored a second from a penalty corner - McKenzie on hand to tap home from a rebounded Bennetts strike - the possibility of an unlikely point was really on the cards.

Despite being second best for much of the game, Duchy picked up a stunning equaliser with four minutes to go as Kevin Bennetts fired in a thunderous penalty corner, and with just over a minute remaining the Duchy player-manager was the hero, tapping home a fourth goal to give the home side an unlikely lead.

Although now in the box seat the home side were not home and dry, with a deflated Penzance side mustering a final assault on the Duchy goal. The home defence - whilst far from their best all day - held out for the final moments, and the match culminated with Richardson saving from Mike Nichols in the last ten seconds to maintain the slender advantage a secure the 4-3 win. With one game remaining, Duchy still have a slim chance of promotion, although require Truro C to pull off what would be a major shock against PGSOB B.

Duchy Squad: Richardson (gk), Wilkes, Spargo, Wall, Pound, Birch, Symons, Allen, McKenzie, Chippett (c.), Crump, Bandara, Rafferty, Noakes. Player/Manager: Bennetts. Man of the Match, sponsored by TSI Group: Chris Pound.

CAMBORNE SOM II 0 DUCHY 4

Almost two years to the day after Duchy Hockey Club played their first ever fixture, another line was written into the Club's history book as the Ladies 1st XI contested their maiden fixture against Camborne School of Mines.

Kerry Trevorrow scored a brace whilst Sam Parton and Gemma Pellow added a goal each to see them win 4-0. Duchy: K. Stevens (gk), H. Walker (c.), Nankervis, Islip, Holding, Parton, Johnson, Perrin, Everitt, Perkin, Trevorrow, Pellow. Manager: Alex Roberts. Man of the Match, sponsored by TSI Group: Gemma Pellow.