6 games is a long time to go without a win, so it was a nervous 2nd XI that met a full hour before push back to huddle away from the freezing drizzle in the University changing rooms to discuss what had gone wrong and what to change. Those that know our illustrious leader would know that he would disapprove of such a democratic process so it was a good job that we had Virdi hailing from the world’s largest democracy in charge for the game.

An ambitious 4-3-3 system was eventually settled upon to make more use of the large magnitude of forwards we seem to be bringing to games, with a big emphasise on keeping shape and picking up your players.

A quick warm up, the whistle was blown and what a start by South. Free flowing passing, players sticking to their men and a level of competence and organisation not seen since the promotion campaign of 2 years ago. South went ahead after 10 minutes through a short. The code sign “McCulloch” was given and the ball smoothly returned to Nelson the injector. However City were wise to the most famous short corner routine in 3NW so Dom clearly rolled it back to Venner who pushed it over line and celebrated in triumphant style.

Buoyed by his goal Venner soon won another short however in doing so his calves of glass shattered and he was forced to limp off the side line. Perhaps out of concern for their team mate this short came to nothing. This did not trouble South and shortly after a second goal was added by Wong after a period of prolonged pressure, Snetler picked up the ball, beat a player, then slipped it through to leave Wong to coolly finish.

2-0 is a dangerous position for the 2's to be in as we discovered last week and true to form things started to go wrong. City had their best spell of pressure as South's midfield struggled to organise itself and waves of City attacks hurled them at the South back line forcing Shahbaz into several saves. With 5 minutes to go it was a game against the clock would the half end or City score? Unfortunately for them they decided to attack down the left where they would come across Virdi in full defensive mode. Captain, Leader, Hero is the only way to describe him in those closing minutes as City tried repetitively to beat him 3 on 1 only for Bhav to win the ball each time and clear safely to the sideline.

At half time again the importance of keeping shape was reiterated by the stand in captain, before in perhaps the most shocking moment of the day Rick returning from a six year walkabout in the African jungle launched into a tear jerking speech. It’s a shame I cannot remember any of it...

South started the 2nd half as they did the 1st bossing the game and it was not long before a South high press forced city into playing the ball straight to Howell. To be fair to the keeper he covered his near post well, but this only allowed Tom to place (yes place not smack as hard as he could) the ball into the middle of the goal (great restraint by the way mate you have clearly learnt from the cross bar incident at the Peterborough summer tournament). Soon it was 4 as city left Wong all alone in their half. Anns pushed the ball well ahead of him and Wong was off with no one having any chance of catching him. The one worry of the situation by his own admission he did not know what to do when 1 on 1 with the keeper. Lucky he picked the correct option - slip it past him and score.

City then won a lucky short - but the defensive line were not worried having noticed their star drag flicker off the pitch. The shot, although I am sure Shahbaz our resident expert would claim was not technically a drag flick, was very hard and megged Bhav on the line. 4-1.

This just spurred South on and the midfield off, Erlebach, Chalk, Howell and later Halse simply kept the ball between them and the back four, for much of the rest of the half. On one of the few occasions the ball was given away, Nelson pressing high against their 16 (at the familiar centre back position at the top of the opponents D) cut out a cross field ball, squared it to Johnson to run onto and push past the furiously exposed keeper. 5-1.

City pushed extra hard for the last 7 minutes and the heavens seemed to agree with unleashing a torrent a hail down on the brave men in green. This predictably led to a number of comedy falls. Of particular note was Anns and Nelsons synchronised effort to allow a City forward through on goal. He then also decided he needed a little rest and also flung himself to the ground for which South were awarded a free hit (simulation?). One City player thought this was a great decision and applauded the umpire for making the difficult choice. He also thought moving the ball up 10 was not harsh enough a punishment for the heinous diver and called to the umpire “well done, keep going”. To which the umpire replied “OK up another 10”. I believe the said player was then quickly subbed off for some reason.

With one minute to go all looked well Anns took a 16 to Oli and South looked like holding on to their 4 goal lead. However Oli was clearly jealous of Tom and Dom's rests on the ground and decided to take this moment to have a little lie down himself. His man said thank you very much and unleashed a thunderbolt of a reverse stick shot Lucas would be proud of to take a little of the shine off the finish. 5-2. All that remained was for Snetler to push back to Chalk and for him to hold the ball for the last couple seconds until the final whistle and the 2's 1st win.

In his role of captain of democratic justice Bhav might have taken this slightly too far with each player having to vote in approximately 47 categories at the end of the game instead of just man and lemon of the match. Here are some of the highlights:

• Most generous captain: Bhav - bought everyone drinks to celebrate the win.
• Best fall - Nelson and Anns, watch out Daley we have not 1 but 2 contenders here.
• Match report writer - Chalk - close between all the squad's teachers because we have nothing better to do over half term, by the way anyone reading this in work time should think long and hard about your vote and probably give your boss back some money (you can afford to unlike us).
• World’s chewiest garlic bread - Cambridge University Sport Center
• Best looking player - Bhav - some of those drinks might have been a little stronger than expected.
• The John Smiths award for no nonsense play - Erlebach - just like his MOM and LOM voting.
• Who would most suit playing in a bowler hat with a brolly - Johnson
• Captain of the year 2 XI …???