Saturday's game against the Pelicans will be memorable for many reasons, not least due to it being on the 5^th November and Kim's lovely rendition of that slightly disturbing poem.

It was in fact the first time ever that the clipboard and magnets had come out, which further highlighted the significance of this top of the table clash. However, despite the inspiring words and tactical prowess of 'The Boss', South started the game in true laid-back CSHC style and had to relay on our sterling line of defence to provide damage limitation. It wasn't long, however, before the midfield quartet of Heather, Kim, Amalia and Hannah started to turn the game in our favour and, after a scrabble in the D, Elaine managed to scoop one over the keeper and South led one-nil.

The game then started to get a bit lively, with the legendary Long Road 'bounce' not helping matters as the ball became ever more aerial. In fact, the Pelicans managed to level through a short corner routine which ended up skywards and past the flailing arms of Loopy, who was celebrating her 201^st league match for CSHC.

Annoyed by the insolence of the Pelicans in scoring, South started to dominate proceedings with the wings being used effectively and some nice runs down the middle. It therefore wasn't long into this period of play that South scored again and went into half time feeling relatively happy about themselves. Two-one.

After some more stirring words and jelly babies, the second half started off in similar fashion to the first, albeit slightly more brutal. Amalia became the first victim of this by being hit in the face with the ball (everyone say 'ouch!') and there was only a short respite from the ferocity when a Pelican's player was Green carded for harassing Lou from a free hit without retreating. South, too, entertained the Naughty Step when Diane also became over-zealous in closing a player down without retreating five metres (everyone say naughty!), thereby earning the un-coveted Lemon!

Normal service resumed, however, and when the forwards remembered to get in front of their players rather than defending them (yes, Ellie, I'm talking about you) we played some good hockey.

From there it all went a bit wrong as 'The Boss' became the second victim of the brutality, when she took one for the team and got an almighty stick whack to the foot (collective grimace.) The pesky Pelican's didn't stop there and after a period of sustained pressure, they scored an extremely unfortunate goal after a short corner routine took a massive deflection and out looped Loopy!

Despite last ditch attempts to win the game, it ended two-two and South had to console themselves with trips to A&E and chip butties. We'll have them next time, girls!