The highlight of the summer hockey was the trip to Alkmaar, Holland to participate in the Pinkster International Bank Holiday Tournament (1-4 June 2001). Despite the loss of players at the last minute, which decimated the squad from twelve to just eight players, the team performed beyond all expectations and finished fourth. The tournament was host to twelve men's and three ladies' teams from Holland, Ireland and England. The most incriminating photos have been burnt, whilst a choice selection of those which won't lead to criminal prosecution, travel bans or divorce, have been posted on the photos page [Editor's note: unfortunately, now lost to posterity].

The intrepid tour party were as follows:

• GK - Will Benedikz

• Defence - John Benedikz, Ian Black, Jim Sutcliffe

• Midfield - Jim Lockhart (Capt), Hannes Roux, Dan Talmage

• Forward - Wilco Dijkstra

The trip over to Holland proved to be uneventful despite the early start and Wilco's spur of the moment decision to take the team on a tour of the Amsterdam inner ring-road. The host side spent the evening 'softening up' the other teams using a plentiful supply of fine alcohol, which they served in deceptively small (and light) plastic glasses. The features of the glasses lead to the discovery of an experimental form of drinking which cannot really be described without the aid of the photos. Despite such low tactics, all eight players emerged for the start of the tournament (even if Boy Wonder was a little greener than ideal).

Assisted by three Dutch mercenaries, the morning saw Cambs South faced the eventual third placed side, Phoenix Heren II (Holland), and the English side began inauspiciously, losing 3-0 to the far better team. The game was not entirely one sided but South suffered as they became used to their additional players. The result meant that second game necessitated some tactical changes. The recruitment of De Zomerbloesems' (Amstelveen Ladies side) keeper allowed Will to move out of the pads and up front. The move worked well and his scrappy goal meant Cambridge led OHC Bully (Holland) 1-0. Dogmatic defence, especially by Johnnie B and Jim Sutcliffe, and outstanding keeping, meant that despite an onslaught from the Dutch, Cambridge hung on to take the points. As the weather deteriorated into showers and a sharp breeze South took the pitch for their third game which saw the foreign sides (South and University College Cork) drawn against each other. The Irish team worked together well and made short work of the game running out 4-0 winners.

Saturday finished with an unorganised and unofficial game, against De Zomerbloesems, with a varying numbers of players on either side. The ladies were aided by the return of their keeper and her influence proved crucial. South were denied a chance to settle the game and the lack of goals proved costly as the Ladies' captain turned to score with the final touch of the game.

The Alkmaar bars hosts were only too happy to swap the above items for more small beer on Saturday night and this could have ultimately been the cause of lost opportunities for some of the team. During the days play the captain of the Dutch ladies' side was injured by a ball to the nose. In the evening, Ian 'Smoothie' Black played the gracious gentleman and enquired after the poor girl's health. When asked how the unfortunate damsel's proboscis appeared, he played the utter eejit and replied, 'Still big.' Following a short moment of silence the remainder of the conversation switched into Dutch and square one was firmly regained.

Jim L had obviously partied well on Saturday night and didn't appear in time for the first (three) games of Sunday. All efforts to raise him failed and South battled on without him. A young Dutch recruit was enlisted for the day who, despite his tender years, proved to be the centre forward Cambridge had been missing on Saturday. The first game against GHBS wasn't helped by it being played in the morning, or involving running around. Those with the least sore heads, Dan and Wilco, played blinders and should both have scored, but it was the Dutch team who scored first as the defence were left exposed by their hangovers. At 2-0 down, Cambridge broke forward and our centre forward buried the ball to start what could have been a come back. It was not to be and, despite hitting the bar later, South failed to play to our strengths before collapsing to a 4-1 defeat.

Blauvingers were the second opponents of the day. These were a team who had learnt from the hosts and on Saturday night had supplied all other teams present with free shots of rather fine mistletoe brandy. That, and the fact they were a good deal better than South, didn't bode well. Despite these odds Cambridge settled down well and for the first ten minutes kept the Dutch side contained. The English side used their players in defence and this proved to be a good tactic as the Dutch sides in the tournament concentrated mainly on attacking play, leaving themselves very open at the back, especially to counter-attacking. Blauvingers didn't allow many attacking opportunities and ran out 4-0 winners in a very relaxed game. Jim S and Johnnie B both saved South from a heavier defeat. The former very casually turned the ball around the post, to the Dutch sides amusement, after Will in goal was beaten, and John stepped behind the keeper to reach a shot later in the game.

The game against the combined Irish Ladies teams from University Colleges of Cork and Dublin gave South our only other point of the tournament. Our goal in the 1-1 draw was scored by the borrowed striker.

Mid-Sunday afternoon, South were struck with a piece of luck the could have resulted in silverware. Due to our hosts generosity at the bar most of the other teams in the tournament had become incapable of playing, and the final teams standing (Cambridge, UCC, Blauvingers and Phoenix) were hastily organised into two semi-finals. The all-Dutch game was extremely tight and was something of an exhibition game for the foreign teams. Blauvingers scored early in the match to win 1-0, before Cambridge took to the big stage.

As the support gathered, this was easily the best supported match of the weekend. South's starting line up was rearranged with a total of four Dutchmen guesting for Cambridge. The game was much closer than the previous encounter and neither side looked like breaking through, with the Cambridge defence of Johnnie B, Jim S, Hannes and Blackie stifling every Irish attack. The team played with much greater cohesion than in previous games and the defence were supported by Jim S and Dan from midfield. The French U21 international, although a little the worse for wear, failed to have the expected impact and when Cambridge broke forward through Wilco we looked dangerous. Shortly before half-time a dribble from the centre of the midfield was left, uncharacteristically, unchecked and UCC took the lead through a strong shot.

As Irish confidence soared and Cambridge were rocked, tactical substitutions were made. Wilco was replaced on the left wing by Will and fresh Dutch legs were brought on at centre forward. The change took effect almost immediately as Jim S, still full of running from his extended rest, pushed the ball forward behind the advancing UCC defence. Will caught the ball with a (very skillful or perhaps lucky) reverse stick shot that sent the ball looping over the keeper and into the back of the net. The game picked up in pace as both sides believed in a possible victory. Ultimately sheer weight of numbers saw a free man at the back of the Cambridge D. The cross was not wasted and Cambridge's chances of reaching the final were ended.

At the end of the day, the better team had won but UCC proved no match for Blauvingers and lost the final 2-0. Phoenix were awarded third place on the strength of their better performances over the weekend. Cambridge can be extremely proud of their performance (and 4th place) which was reached with just a little help from Dutch friends.

Even getting home was undertaken in the spirit of adventure. The lead car spent twenty minutes searching for the ferry boarding passes at The Hook - before discovering them on their dashboard. Once back in the UK, Wilco's desire to tour was still strong and, having disembarked from the ferry, headed for London. The mistake was realised at the M25 and the second car arrived home nearly 90 minutes after the first.

Many thanks to those who made the trip worthwhile and also to Alkmaar HC for making us so welcome. Holland could well see Cambridge South again next season.