A group of seventeen players gathered, bleary eyed, way too early on the Saturday morning and travelled up to Wisbech to form our team, the Southerners.

After pitching tents and making sure there were beers on chill (priorities, priorities), South began our first game against one of the host teams, the Pirates. Playing on an interestingly uneven grass pitch, the Southerners soon found themselves struggling defensively, due to their open attacking formation. A few attacks got into the opposition half but, mainly due to one of the Pirates' players being a full Kiwi international and a significantly higher standard than most others in the tournament, the ball was going past keeper Will Benedikz with depressing frequency. The closest the Southerners got to getting anything out of the game was when the match ball was lost in the nettles surrounding the pitch. Some of the teams better performances came from Linda Byrd and Rob Barton, who did their best to try and plug the leaks, and Shaun Hines, who looked solid in his second half defensive performance.

The only subjects for debate afterwards was whether the final score was seven, eight or nine-nil and, more importantly, when Mubashir would be arriving with lunch. The answer was about half twelve and, with other issues being conveniently glossed over, the Southerners squad tucked into the best food of any of the teams at the tournament. So good it ought to have won a trophy of some sort. Enough Chicken Biriyani, Raita and salad to sink a battleship, with the Stellas being passed about to wash it down beautifully.

With full stomachs, South headed over to the astroturf for the second match against the Red Hot Chillies, another of the Wisbech teams entered. A more even game ensued, with the Southerners taking a two-nil half time lead due to spectacular goals from Andy Lewis and Ian Black. For the first, Andy set-off on one of his trademark mazy runs. After beating all the opposition players, going back and beating them all again (twice), and with the South subs shaking their heads for the lack of the pass, Andy suddenly beat another man, burst into the D and fired a hard drive inside the far post. The second came from our best attacking move of the day. Wilco Dijkstra, Amy Forlin and Emma Cowan combined in midfield to get the ball to Blackie. His fierce drive from the tight angle again gave the keeper little chance. The lead was preserved by Mubashir, who had donned the keepers gear as an experiment, and proved himself with a number of important saves. Impressive play indeed, with Mubashir more impressed than anyone…

Encouraged (or scared) by the roaring and celebrating coming from behind, South set out to defend their lead with Helen Sams and Linda Byrd making good tackles in midfield in front of the back three of Andy King, John Benedikz and Jan Brynjolffssen. The defenders were trying to limit the amount of action Mubashir saw, to protect their eardrums if nothing else, and ultimately the Chillies were restricted to a single goal, turned in on the rebound from yet another save. A win, a win! The Southerners’ player of the match was clearly Mubashir for his outstanding performance, though credit must go to first time umpire Helen Benedikz for a valiant attempt, despite being handicapped by no knowledge of the commonly understood rules.

The next opponents were the Wild Geese (Pelicans of Kings Lynn), in what was a far more one-sided game than the final two-one scoreline suggests. Back on the undulating grass, the Southerners struggled to get much time on the ball. Even with Jim Thorpe doing another effective finger-in-the-dyke-job in central defence, the team relied on the ever-vocal Mubashir to keep them in contention. Which again he did spectacularly, no more so than a second half save with his left hand, high above his head, as a shot was rocketing towards the top corner.

The Wild Geese did find a way past once in each half but South struck back with our first and, as it would turn out, only shot of the game. John Benedikz won a ball in midfield and pushed it forward via Jayne King to Jim Thorpe. Jim beat two defenders before entering the circle. Will Benedikz poached the ball from the end of Jim's stick and drove it into the corner of the goal. When one final attack broke down, the game was over and then preparations for the evenings barbeque and drinking could begin…

Having washed down more food, once again produced by Mubashir, the evening began relaxing around the BBQ before moving to the bar and mobile disco thoughtfully provided by our hosts, and ultimately to cold sleeping bags. Moving swiftly on to morning, the cold light of day brought too much sunshine for some eyes but welcome warmth after a night under canvas.

The early start of bacon sarnies, tea and the occasional beer restored much faith in life and a gentle warm up for the day's games began. The Southerners faced local rivals Newmarket in their only game of the day.

The game started brightly and openly with South utilising one of the Wisbech keepers in order to free up their full outfield squad, and because they were deprived of Mubashir’s services for the day. South's bold game plan (a Christmas tree formation) failed to live up to expectations and despite some solid performances, including Andy King and Linda Byrd again making spirited contributions to the game in defence, South turned around a number of goals down.

During the second half John Benedikz moved back to help shore up the defence and it was one of his tackles that ultimately lead to the Southerners consolation goal. John passed forward to Rob Barton who immediately pushed the ball wide to Andy King at left-back. Andy ran forward and passed round a Newmarket attacker to set Amy Forlin free on the wing. Having drawn the defender she passed back to Andy who pushed the ball to Jayne King at centre forward. Jayne selflessly pulled the ball back to the top of the circle, past the final defender, for Will Benedikz to score into the open net.

By the time the final whistle went Newmarket had amassed five goals with just the single goal conceded, and all this without the aid of a keeper. The end of the game saw a very tired Southerners team leave the pitch.

A big 'thank you' to all those who made the effort to travel up for either one or both days. It was, again, a hugely enjoyable tournament and we look forward to heading north next season.