The Men's 2s’ second game of the league this season was against the Rutland 1st team, comprising of no one over the age of 20. This battle, where South came out runners up, really was a game of two halves.

After yet another comprehensive bloodletting caused by lack of availability in the 1s, South fielded a rather makeshift team, with additions such as Neil Sneade, Tom South, Rupert Espley and James Paley putting in a very strong performance. Particularly of note was the striker Nick Wong, who hadn't played (hockey) for several years. With positioning, stick skills and speed turning him into a real menace for the defence, it wasn’t long until Nick got himself onto the score board, pouncing on a loose ball in the D to sweep it into the inviting goal. Having secured his place back in the club, Nick then on to grab a lemon, complaining vociferously of a strained bum that took him out of the game.

Undismayed, South kept on playing safe hockey, with a solid defence and quick breaks in attack. Mere minutes later, a smooth move up the right wing saw the ball arriving at Tim Clapp, who slotted it home from the acutest of angles to give South a two-goal cushion.

Rutland were not giving up, however, and managed to claw back a goal before the break, when a fluffed short corner injection was deftly turned into a cunning flick over both the onrushing defence and ‘keeper Shahbaz Ali.

In the second half, Rutland’s younger legs (and subs) started to tell, with the home midfield struggling to stop mazy runs by some of the visiting youngsters. Just 5 minutes in, another short corner resulted in an equaliser, closely after followed by one of Rutland’s central men running through the defence all too easily to have a free shot on goal, slotting it past Shahbaz who should never have been faced with the chance.

Despite hard graft by the home team (now reduced to the bare 11, as an old injury took out a highly solid Ed Broyd) and several short corners, an equaliser proved too much and South had to reluctantly concede defeat to pacy and skilful team. But the spirit and skills of the team, as well as its strength in depth, look promising for the remainder of the season. If we can maintain this form and dedication in other games, the point will undoubtedly come in soon.