By Dick Sturch

Whipton & Pinhoe 1stX1 3. Millwey Rise 1stX1 3

This game turned into a real cliff-hanger right up to the final whistle.

Twenty-five minutes in Rise were running away with the match by three goals. In the seventh minute Nathan Womersley stroked home a penalty. He then added a second after some intricate interplay amongst the forwards and an assist from Sam Turner.

In between Whipton had threatened on a couple of occasions but Sam Dibling put the final touch to a flick on from Turner and Millwey moved 3 - 0 ahead.

A little complacency then crept into their play and some lax defending allowed Whipton to pull one back in the 30th minute. This sparked the home side into action and they put Millwey's goal under severe pressure with a series of corners and strikes which kept keeper Flynn Smith in constant action.

Whipton struck again when they quickly broke from defence with a sweeping move that was clinically finished for their second goal. Their final goal was a fine effort when their young winger cut in beating two defenders and striking the ball cleanly past Smith. Into the dying minutes of the half 'Rise' keeper intercepted another break but was flattened and temporarily stunned when the opponents boot struck him in the chest and left a deep impression of the studs on his chest. He bravely carried on, obviously in some discomfort and watched Rise score at the other end only to have it ruled out as offside a minute before the referee blew the half time whistle.

At the beginning of the second period Flynn relinquished the keeper's jersey to Nathan Hoole who was making a rare appearance for Rise. Both sides took it in turns to threaten the respective defences throughout the half but no further goals were added. Whipton had the best opportunity to wrap up the game when they were awarded a penalty but a brilliant diving save by Hoole pushed the ball around the post.

Manager Shayne Featherstone replaced Luke Thurlow and Dave Bridges gave way to Zak Meaker who was making a welcome return from injury, For supporters of both teams it proved a nail-biting afternoon but the result reflected the strength and determination of both sides.

To try and select an outstanding Rise player would take another couple of lines as everybody contributed to a thoroughly entertaining and hard fought match.

Next Saturday Millwey 1stX1 welcome University of Exeter 7th X1 to Cloakham and on Bank Holiday Monday the return visit of today's opponents Whipton & Pinhoe. Both games kick-off at 3pm.