This morning, in the bitter cold, the Ladies’ 2s strode out on to the battlefield (a.k.a. the pitch…)

Boom, boom, boom…the sound of the drums? No, just Serin making her way to the goal, pads rustling and game face ready.

Lauren led us in to battle. The first assault began well with some strong passes up the field and tactical switching from the right and left flanks. The defence cavalry barricaded Bury's advances and the balls were catapulted (in flames) back into the enemy’s realms.

Naomi was the first soldier to take an arrow (ball) to the body. She limped off for medical attention and emergency surgery - nothing shall keep her down - she was back on the pitch in less than two minutes.

Like an arrow through a burning ring of fire, Emma Smith drove the ball into the goal and the blazing desire of hope and glory was lit in our purple hearts.

The end of the first charge left the score at one-nil in South's favour. We retreated to camp for sustenance (sweets) and deep, meaningful strategy talks.

As dawn broke on the second skirmish, Bury charged. Our defence rallied together around Serin but alas her legs were open (Valentine’s style) and we took our first casualty and the score levelled.

South were quick to regain composure. Laurie fired the ball from the sixteen - Grace, Lucy and Lottie took plight together, driving the ball up the left side. But it was a play down the right, with Harriet and Emma delivering the ball to Grace, who took up the flag to scatter the opposition as our second goal found its mark. Commander in Chief (Dave) would have been so proud to see his tactics being played out in the flesh!

After a regroup and a mid-half team huddle whilst Bury picked one of their CHILDREN up off the floor (after a clash with Cara, our LOM) - more 'awks' than Lord of the Rings (yes I went there) - Bury again levelled before Naomi, our recovered casualty, found the back of the net with the slenderest of touches, bringing South's goal total up to three.

Our passionate captain displayed her battle anger, beating her chest and roaring us back to life.

A low flying crow (a high flying ball) took flight towards my already bruised and battered face: I threw myself to the ground…'Go on without me, I will only slow you down.’

Bury came back from the dead as the light on the battlefield began to fade. Despite war cries from Meg and Valerie - ‘Thou shall NOT pass!’ - and Serin holding up the fort time and time again, they found our Achilles heel and in the final hours (minutes) we took two more arrows to the chest.

So despite all the heroic falling over from Emma, the wounding of her upper leg (bum) - this required a plaster - and the more serious all-over bruising of a whole upper leg (bum) for Grace, the brave hearts and determination of the Ladies’ 2s didn't quite pay off this week and we were vanquished 3-4.

Another team effort with lots of MOM nominations, with Grace and Meg scooping the coveted prize.

'We may have lost the battle but not the war…'