Cambridge South 3s opened the season with a game of three halves, literally. A shortage of players among the lower teams led to the two scheduled Royston vs Cambridge South games being merged into one, the resulting surfeit of players leading to a decision to play three 30-minute periods.

The new season rustiness was evident even before the game: the meet at Madingley Park & Ride had failed to specify a location, leading to several members circling the car park hoping to intersect with their teammates through some form of Brownian motion. Further chaos was added due to the late change in the meet time as a result of the fixtures merge, with several players still under the impression that the meet was at 12pm rather than 11am. A series of confused phone calls eventually got everyone heading in the right direction, albeit half an hour late and at varying times and from varying directions.

When all had finally assembled at Bassingbourne barracks the decision to play 90 minutes was rapidly being regretted. Yes, our arrival at the pitch coincided with the morning's friendly overcast skies giving way to piercingly ferocious sunshine.

With several new players, a squad of 16, rolling substitutes, debilitating heat and a new 4-3-3 formation, this was very much a bedding-in game for South. Despite this, and despite the presence of a number of Royston players clearly dropping down several levels, South worked hard and the score at the first interval remained level at 0-0. Dave Monck's ferocious hitting was clearing the lines from the back with new addition Nathan Monck running hard on the wings. Another new boy, Nick Venner, was showing his speed and dribbling skills up front, presenting the clearest South threat. Revived with the traditional orange segments brought by Neil Sneade, South prepared to resume the struggle

For the second period, the blazing sun and a lack of early season match fitness, particularly against a younger team, began to take their toll. South were more on the back foot and, after several good saves by man-of-the-match keeper Chris Collinson, Royston eventually got their opening goal. South's best chance came from a Dave Monck strike, arrowing inside the post (so he claims) until Paul South showed lightning reactions to deflect the ball in mid-air (the ball was in mid air, not Paul) safely wide of the Royston goal.

By the final period, the water had run-out, the energy was running out and in the wilting heat the motivation was beginning to disappear over the horizon too. Royston's steady pressure finally brought rewards with 3 more goals to settle the tie. Along the way though, a great run and pass from debutant captain Simon Jelley teed up Dom Nelson for South's first goal of the season.

A strange game to open the season and refinements are obviously still required to South's set-up in their new formation but persisting with an attacking set-up will be essential if the 3s are to challenge for promotion this season.