CARADON Hockey Club were forced to finish their season early, like many other sporting events, due to the coronavirus pandemic and resulting social distancing rules.

Both the men’s and women’s leagues and team positions have now been decided by a percentage points basis.

This sudden end to the league campaign was unfortunate for the ladies’ first and third teams, in particular, as they were both pushing for promotion and league champion status.

It was good news for the thirds. If the final games had been played, they could have determined a top or runners-up status in the league, but they finished in second position.

That means promotion to Trelawney Division One next season, where they will join Caradon Ladies’ second team for new opposition and new challenges.

Their goalscoring tally of 94 was a particularly impressive statistic for the season.

Caradon Ladies’ first team were due to play their penultimate and league-deciding match against table-topping Penzance on the weekend the lockdown began.

With two points between the teams, it would have almost definitely confirmed the one promotion place.

However, the tables staying as they are mean Caradon have missed out this time, but being the highest scoring team and, as runners-up, gaining their best ever position in South, they can hold their heads high and eye the big prize next season.

The ladies’ second team also improved on last year, jumping up to fourth position in Trelawney One, as they continue to gain momentum with each season as a team who never give up.

With a game in hand, like Caradon’s other teams, there would have been the chance to gain a higher position. However, this does not take away from a fantastic 15-game season.

Caradon Ladies Fourths continued the trend of best ever seasons, finishing Trelawney Division Two mid-table in fifth place, in a debut season led by new captain Rachel Quick. With impressive juniors ready to step up into senior play, the fourths are essential in building players at Caradon, so to see them have a brilliant season means a lot to the whole club.

The men’s first team had their first season in a new league, Southern One.

After being promoted as undefeated champions, they continued their good run, scoring 30 goals in their first six games, which were unbeaten.

Keeping pressure on the top three, with one game left to play, they finished this first season in a very creditable third place, and looking to climb once again in their next campaign.

Caradon Men A also made a debut in a new league – South West One.

Grabbing more than 60 goals this year, with many different scorers, shows the versatility of the team.

They finished mid-table and, with the experience of a season under their belts, the next aim will be to crack the top five.

It was an exciting new era at Caradon, as the club introduced a men’s third team – Caradon B – into the league.

With a mixture of young, up-and-coming players and the more experienced older players, it was always going to be a tough start getting the team together.

However, the determination came through and confidence built with every match, and they got their first points on the table following a draw with East Devon D.

They worked hard for their first win, which came in style against Torbay B 3-0 away.

Caradon Hockey Club celebrate another successful season, in somewhat different circumstances.

The End of Season Presentation Night has been postponed from May until hopefully August, when the club can celebrate their achievements in the proper way before kicking off the 2020/21 season, whenever it is decided it is safe to do so.

Report by Helen Manley