A slight change in conditions from the snow storm that had enveloped Long Road last time around to force an abandonment. St Neots were the opponents and the game had turned into a battle for fourth place (unsure if European qualification was at stake…)

However, much of the pre-game talk was about a game happening on the other side of the world - we'll get to that later.

The first half was hockey played at high intensity and high pace. So intense that Pearson was able to sneak off for a beer with his fan club, who were able to provide 'vocal' support for the entire game - this may have increased in volume with alcohol consumed. Somehow, the game entered the half time break at 0-0 for the last team talk of the Williams era. We were encouraged to keep up the good work of the first half and surge ahead like the first game and meet Stu's mystic prediction of 3-1.

This didn't go quite to plan. Paresh, deadly in front of goal at training on Thursday, kept up his sharp skills in front of goal - deflecting a shot into the roof of the net. Unfortunately for South, this happened to be his own net - it was not to be a great weekend for our now out-of-pocket Kiwi friend!

However, South re-grouped. The defence dug deep, with outstanding contributions from everyone at the back, digging in and making St Neots work for every 50/50. Aston was not so average at defending short corners and Jason made some crucial saves to keep South in it. South grew stronger and Cosford (in his farewell performance) boomed a short corner into the bottom corner, not for the first time this season, and drew South level. I'm sure Tom would like us to mention that this earned him top goalscorer for the M1s, one goal clear of Jack Chalk who unfortunately had to revert to right back halfway through the game (again!)

South were now reborn. The pace and movement that has occasionally reared its head for South throughout the season suddenly reappeared with Hockley, Chalk and Pearson running riot up front. Spencer was able to make the breakthrough turning the defender and shooting the ball calmly off a defenders stick to bamboozle the goalkeeper.

Then came the 'digging in' part. Williams was comparing handbags with a St Neots defender in his last captaining appearance, when a second 'Saint' got involved and was yellow carded for a shove. Short corners kept coming but Aston and the defence were able to repel them. One particular short was given for a baseball-come-rounders-come-tennis-come-squash-come-badminton swing from Graveling, earning him a landslide Lemon vote. Another short was given away as Spencer turned lumberjack, but nothing could breach the South defence and South claimed fourth and a visit to the Estonian champions next year.

Now to the other big game. Paresh was confident enough to have bets with half the team that NZ would be lifting the Cricket World Cup - at last he has to buy a few pints now. In a totally unrelated note, I can confirm that I will be at the Club Dinner due to being owed a pint.

Mentions must go to Captain Williams in his last game with the armband and Cosford for a goalscoring finish to his South career.