An absent* skipper, last minute pitch cancellation, change of venue and a change of pushback time which denied us crucial pre-match beauty sleep (or drying out time, depending on the nature of your Friday night) did not seem the most auspicious circumstances in which to face a new Cambridge rival, Nomads Ladies 2s.

The in-depth changing room pre-match analysis concluded that we ‘reckoned they could be quite good’ and we had at least a couple of players back from injury whose doctors would definitely not have approved of them playing. Nonetheless, we did have 13 players, and we had escaped the alpine slopes, potholes and murky marshes of the St Catz ‘astro’ in favour of the (comparatively) Olympic quality Abbey pitch, so the outlook wasn’t completely bleak.

The first half of the match produced some exciting end-to-end play. Arguably we looked the stronger team but with half time approaching nothing was on the scoreboard. However, a stint of good, solid passing saw the ball passed through to Kendra in the ‘D’ and she produced a spectacular finish with a flick finding the top left hand corner of the goal.

A rousing half time talk (or was it the Haribo?) inspired even greater things in the second half; more slick passing resulting in 5 more being added to the Cambridge South tally, with a goal from Jess off a well-worked short corner, 3 more from Kendra, and a lovely finish from Alice. One of Kendra’s proved a long asserted theory that if we could get someone on the post, we might actually score. It worked as she converted an excellent cross from someone (possibly Elaine, who had a very good game on the right).

Nomads continued to work hard throughout, taking every opportunity to break, and we had the defence and Loopy to thank for averting some close calls and maintaining a clean sheet.

The match also produced its fair share of injuries – apparently when we have subs we use them. Lottie, who was producing some fine play in the centre, had to retire to the sidelines after being hit by a lifted ball, only to come back on for Anne in defence after she took on a stick and lost. Kendra was also on the receiving end of a couple of wayward hits (one from Alice). Unfortunately, both hit her in the chest which prompted a comedy rant about being a nursing mother and therefore not ‘purely decorative’. One Lemon of the Match duly awarded, along with MoM for truly excellent play.

Overall, it was a refreshing victory after a series of frustrating matches – perhaps the coaching tips on Monday helped. Even if they didn’t, at least we can all take confidence in our newfound abilities to land a plane under a tree. For those who didn’t come to training, shame on you, but that’s how you hit, apparently…!

* Away on some ridiculous PhD or wedding-related business - honestly, it’s not as if she had anything important to do!