The sunshine shone on the first day of the 2015-16 league season.

Eleven Southerners turned up to the Boizot Astro ready to face the might of City's 6th team.

The early exchanges were inconclusive, with Cambridge South playing well to the cunning game plan: if in doubt hit it up the line; hassle the opposition when they have the ball; if we have the ball, find space.

Everyone played their part, particularly Laurie Ho whizzing around to fill gaps everywhere; Nick Georgiadis, released into a midfield role, chasing every ball; and Man of the Match James Siddorns showing his fellow defenders the dark arts of muscling attackers off the ball and then dispatching it to distant parts. His colleagues Ho, Bridge and Steed battled manfully to repel attacks, although stand in keeper Simon Cooper was called on to display his talents numerous times when the skilful City forwards broke free to shoot, including from the many short corners their pressure earned them.

It took a while for City to break the deadlock, with a couple of neat goals, but they were beginning to show their superiority in hockey skills ominously. A further two goals before half time didn't dampen South spirits though, as the away side kept their shape and discipline in the face of the City hordes.

The second half was similar, with a Greaves thunderbolt cross recalling past glories and good South passing moves via the midfielders Andy Thomas, Owen Vaughan and Shahzad Ali, and skipper Greaves, showing promise but sadly snuffed out in the 23. South did score a couple of times through A. Non and D. Screet: unfortunately these were deflections past their own keeper…and City somehow managed a further seven to run out not-so-narrow victors.

If the 4ths maintain the spirit, commitment and desire to play sensible hockey shown in this game for the season to come then there is hope, although fingers crossed the other teams in 5NW won't all have the skills, fitness, and composure shown by City 6ths.