A catalogue of injuries had seen South Vet’s usual squad only able to muster five players. After a call around the rest of the club for those of Vets age, or nearly so (*ahem*), eleven were mustered but in a fairly scratch side.

Bedford, on the other hand, brought along their usual players and the extra teamwork they brought to bear saw them able to work a free body in the circle on far too many occasions. Lino had to be at his best in the first half to keep the score down to four…

The second period opened with a ray of hope for South. Rob Barton was feed the ball in the right channel, he drove across the top of the circle and went for a trademark reverse stick sweep; this one had lift and found the top corner. However, despite a good five minutes following this, the first half pattern was soon re-asserted, Bedford scoring at regular intervals.

That the score was halted at nine for the match was mainly due to an inspired performance between the sticks from Lino. The best save came from a short corner; having decided his runners were not getting out fast enough, Lino was coming flying off his line as well to get straight shots smothered. Bedford had clocked this, and went for a lobbed flick over Lino’s head; Lino climbed smartly at the ball and pad saved it over the bar.

At the other end, South added a second consolation when James Bridge was feed the ball at the edge of the circle. He took his time, and gave the keeper the eyes, wrong-footing him as he flicked the ball into the corner.