An even game which warmed up a chilly Saturday morning, ending in narrow defeat for Greaves's Gangsters. The key actions which determined the result were:

• Simon Frampton taking his goal with panache; a breakaway following a long ball from the back found Mr F near the top of the D. He turned, he scored.

• Ian Evans's thunderbolt straight from a short corner clattered the post.

• Howard Jones's leg cunningly blocking a certain goal close to the line.

• Rupert Espley and Ben Williamson scored their goals with skillful stick work to guide the ball into the roof of the net on both occasions.

Matt Smith and Alex Pashley provided much of the midfield dynamism for the away team; skipper Greaves provided his usual bunch of thumping crosses and dying swan impressions. Although it was all a bit disjointed, everyone in the team contributed well but it was not quite enough to deny Howard's Hordes the win.

Two-one on the day; two-one in the series: Best of five?