Unbeaten in 2013, the 2s went into this match on a high. Undaunted by the lack of “out-and-out centre forward” or the “DANGER - ROAD FLOODED - TURN AROUND NOW” signs on the way to Wisbech, the pre-match banter was spiced with talk of over-taking the 1s and the possibility of promotion. A poor start and early goal by Wisbech woke some from their reveries and we soon realised the secret to winning hockey matches in north west Cambs lay not in passing the ball to the opposition or kicking it into the goal but in holding on to the ball and passing it from stick to stick. It was joyous to watch and as word spread throughout the town, the crowds started arriving to see these strange southern folk with their new ideas. Such an approach has no room for superstars - “Total Hockey” is a whole-team approach. This made identifying a man-of-the-match a tortuous affair as everyone played their part (Lemon of the Match was less difficult as Dom was playing). With Dave making strong runs down the right, and newbie Ian solid on the left, Colin and Rick controlled the mid-field, distributing the ball from left to right and occasionally right to left. Goals were inevitable with two for Nick and two for Rick.

Post match analysis rightly focussed on the third goal - a visionary pass from Captain Ron nailed to the back post for Rick to control at full pace, round the keeper and rocket into the backboard. But this did not do justice to the feeling of shared satisfaction of knowing we had won because we did the simple things well for 78% of the match. Still unbeaten in 2013. Bring on the 1s. Bring on promotion.