After a rude defeat by Wisbech last week, Cambridge South were eager to get back to winning ways against Bourne 2s knowing that if other results went their way, a win could push them up to 2nd.

And in fairly blustery conditions, South duly obliged by brushing aside a Bourne side and playing some excellent hockey all round from front to back.

With Ron "Chopper" Oren on 1st team duty, and the Monckosaurus unavailable, concerns had been raised at the possible lack of "bulk" and "aggression" in the defence. Those were dispelled within minutes when a Wicked Wych clearance thundered into a Bourne shinpad, forcing them down to 10 men for several minutes, and Kaptain Kev put in a crunching tackle to cut down a Bourne move in its prime.

Having signalled these signs of intent, South turned rear domination into expansive midfield dynamism and forward play throughout the first half. The Bourne keeper was forced into several saves, including a palm save from a Rob Barton reverse stick shot (would we expect anything else) after George Wych did a Shergar and disappeared from Right Back only to appear galloping up the right wing and dispatching a majestic ball into the D. Another direct strike from a Bristowe at a short corner was dispatched over the bar by the keeper's toe. Moments later South finally did beat the keeper after Bav had hurried and hassled down the right and had played the ball into a crowded D only to find that a short corner had been awarded in the melee for the goalkeeper sitting on the ball.

However South stuck to the task and eventually the Bourne backline was breached when a superb through ball found John Harkes clear in the 25 who then marched into the D to slot home for a cool finish, his first for South.

A 1-0 scoreline hardly reflected the domination south enjoyed in the first 35 minutes.

Bourne showed more enthusiasm and ambition in the second half to press forward, but were met with Leo Tomita and Nick Bristowe in fine form, and Captain Dave Aston holding his own at left back. This more than snuffed out any threats on the South D by the canny Bourne midfielders who clearly knew how to wield a stick. Jack Chalk kept one of them well and truly occupied.

However it didn't take long for South to open up more opportunities. The midfield duo of Harkes and Clapp found were continually hassling and completely overran their counterparts. A superb flowing move, the best of the game, involving the entire midfield combination of Clapp/Chalk/Virdee/Harkes presented a golden opportunity at the right post which went begging. Former Kaptain Kev's view of the situation that Mary Poppins herself would have scored with her umbrella.

Thankfully at the other end, South were not being so generous. The only clear cut opportunity came as rain threatened and a short was awarded in the gloom when a defender had trod on the ball. The ensuing shot failed to trouble Ben Buckley who admitted after the game that he in fact fell over as the shot was taken and ended the game having failed to touch the ball at all.

However, after that little indiscretion, it wasn't long before South were back in business and with 10 minutes remaining, Ali Ward raced onto a pin point ball to slot in number two, with Bav chasing on in the hope he might snaffle the goal himself. At 2-0, South looked far more composed on the ball and soon afterwards a flick was duly converted by Jack Chalk to round of proceedings with a third. Had the game continued in that vein, the scoreline would have expanded. Although having said that, had Jack informed the rest of the team that he had in fact missed this last three flicks, he perhaps would not have found himself clothed with the honour of taking one.

As usual, South commitment to the cause was more than displayed through its fair share of bravery in the face of the enemy with Ali Ward (ankle) and Kev (shin) gracefully plummeting to the ground, and John Harkes impressively bleeding over the Leys pitch from various limbs. Certain others who shall remain nameless, fell to the earth with much less dignity when faced with the autumn leaves.

So with Rutland defeating Ely 3-2, South leapfrogged Ely into 3rd place in 4NW, their highest position since records began, or at least electronically anyhow, a position occupied by the 1st team four seasons ago, and a position well befitting a side dominant against a side relegated from 3NW last year.

On a day when South kept their second clean sheet of the campaign, goalkeeper Ben Buckley (who was responsible for the last clean sheet against March) went from hero to zero and was deemed lemonesque. Presumably on the basis that he could and probably should have put his feet up at home instead of getting himself, and the goalkeeping kit, soaking wet. Probably the most ridiculous decision since Lino was awarded man of the match last season in an 11-0 win...