Despite conceding an early goal, an outstanding defensive performance from Duchy saw the Black-and-Whites record a superb victory in their top-of-the-table clash with Plymouth Marjon B.

A shaky start from the Cornish side saw Marjon take the lead, with the Plymouth side finding the net inside the opening three minutes when Rob Thomas smashed home a straight strike from a penalty corner, and the visitors' strong start continued throughout the first quarter of the game with Duchy forced onto the back foot.

After the Marjon goal, the Duchy defence of Rice, Walker, May and man-of-the-match Andrew West kept the visitors at bay and the score at 1-0, and as the match wore on the home side were able to build on their solid defensive line and begin to control the fixture. Mid-way through the half Duchy could have equalised but Wayne Spargo guided a Will McKenzie cross narrowly wide, however the leveller for the Black-and-Whites was only minutes away with Alex Roberts playing in a superb cross for McKenzie to glance home from six yards.

The sides went into the interval with the score at 1-1, but the match continued to ebb and flow in the second period, with Duchy still having to work hard in defence and midfield to maintain parity. With Duchy repelling the majority of the Marjon attacks, the visitors grew frustrated and lost discipline, losing two players to the sin-bin, and Duchy capitalised taking a deserved lead through Martin Crump, who picked up his ninth goal of the season with a reverse stick finish after Alex Roberts’ penalty corner effort was saved by Sinclair in the Plymouth goal.

Buoyed by their second goal, Duchy grew in confidence and with ten minutes of the match to go took a 3-1 lead when Mark Symons shrugged off the attentions of three Plymouth players before playing in Alex Roberts, who smashed home a stunning strike from the edge of the circle. The third goal gave the home side breathing room, however there was no opportunity for Duchy to relax as Marjon pressed forward in search of a reply. The win keeps Duchy top of the table.

Duchy Squad: Reynolds (gk), R. Walker, May, Rice, West, McKenzie, Chippett (c.), Symons, Swann, Crump, Roberts, Spargo, Oatham, Birch. Manager: Kev Bennetts. Man of the Match, sponsored by TSI Renewables: Andrew West.