Cambridge South M2s return to competitive hockey after the recent enforced winter break included a trip up to Market Deeping to do battle with Bourne Deeping M1s, riding high at the top end of the division. Strengthened by newly recruited Charlie Douty and the selfless Russell Johnson, the team arrived at a bleak and windy pitch in high spirits, brimming with confidence and uncharacteristically early.

From the very beginning, the game was far more even than the respective league positions of the team would suggest. Although the home side did more of the attacking, it was South that got the first couple of chances, in the form of short corners; unfortunately, the pre-game short corner practice had obviously not been enough as both chances went unused. On the other side of the pitch things, luck was running differently: a lucky deflection off a short corner saw the home side gain a rather undeserved lead. Soon afterwards, ‘keeper Shahbaz was left helpless again, when the tiniest of touches on the top of the D spun the ball into the corner, past even his cat-like abilities to dive.

Undeterred, the visitors kept pressing forward and they could be excused to feel, at half-time, that the game was not over yet. For Charlie, though, it would be soon: mere minutes into the second half, he showed his dedication to the team by taking a stick to the face and walking off the pitch leaving a trail of crimson droplets. In an impressive show of composure, he managed to apologise for the mess he was making of his newly green-and-red shirt. Luckily, we can report that, several hours at hospital and four stitches later, Charlie’s head is good as new!

Down to eleven men and with 30-odd minutes to play, it was back into the breach for South. Always sporting, Bourne Deeping offered the visitors a touch of rest, by dint of getting a forward sent off for trying (and failing) to shove Ron Oren off the ball. With play ranging up and down the pitch, chances were created on both sides, but none converted. Until the last few minutes, that is, when Bourne Deeping managed to get a 2-on-1 in the visitors’ D and duly dispatched the ball for a third goal.

The score line certainly didn’t reflect the game, with South deserving a lot more. However, the team can take pride in their performance, showing that we can compete with the stronger sides in the league. Carrying on this form and determination into the next games will be key to dispatch some of the weaker sides.