Cup double for Devizes (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Cup double for Devizes

10:19am Thursday 19th April 2007

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IT WAS two out of three for Devizes Hockey Club on a successful Saturday in the County Cup Finals.

The first team beat Salisbury 5-1 in the Wiltshire Cup Final with the second XI running out 4-2 winners over West Wilts seconds in the Trophy.

However, the thirds were demolished 6-1 by West Wiltshire in the Wiltshire Vase.

Second team captain Grant Humphries was delighted his side could step out of the first team's shadow.

He said: "As a hockey club you want to make sure it is not always about the first team.

"You keep seeing the first get the plaudits and want to get yourself on the map.

"It was not until the middle of the season we started believing in ourselves and with more commitment next season we can win the Avon Division."

The side fielded Tom Alsop, 11, and George Bissett, 14, and Humphries praised the youngsters for their contributions against much older opposition. Two goals from Will Cork, who Humphries labelled as outstanding, Ben McEwan and Ryan Noble ensured victory.

Charlie Doel also grabbed two goals in the first team's convincing win, with Neil Powell, Siegfred Buber and Owen Alsop completing the rout.

Striker Doel said of his two goal haul: "They were nothing special unfortunately, tap ins down to other people's hard work, but I am quite happy to take the credit.

"We always thought we should have won because we are in a much higher division than them."

In the Wiltshire Veterans Plate, Salisbury comfortably beat Chippenham 8-2.

Chippenham also lost to Salisbury 1-0 in the final of the Wiltshire Ladies Shield.

Devizes chairman Toby Brown organised the event and felt a wider selection of sides would have made the competition more interesting, but allayed fears it was dominated by the best teams.

"I would have hoped for a greater variety of finalists but that's how it happens sometimes," he said.

"Marlborough, Devizes and Swindon are the three premier teams in the county and there is a bit of a gap between them and the rest."

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