It was Remembrance Day on Saturday 11^th and we remembered those who had fallen in the Great War in the early 20th century. It was a great gesture by the West Herts club.

It was also a crazy week for M1s, as a few of our players had fallen either to a foot injury or a party somewhere in Europe or a holiday or a baby being delivered to them by a stork. Players were brought in from the M2s and M3s, some from as far as Chile. Warm up wasn’t great as we were told off that the rugby parking area is no place for a warmup. If only we were allowed to scrum them down!

Captain Stu’s message was very clear at the start: hold the ball for first 10 minutes, we dictate the pace of the game and take it forward from there.

The back line of Stu, Colin, Mariano, Dave and Bhav held on for first few minutes. Chris and Harry Chalk were doing what they did best, not letting the attacks come through. Up front, Shin, Harry Lewis and Ollie were trying to get in the D. One such ball from Dave to Harry Lewis, and Harry was able to get us a PC. Shin’s drag flick rattled the bar! So near!

But the match hadn’t started yet. Someone came too close to Colin and a reverse meant the opposition player had his face on Colin’s stick. BAMM! Blood… Coolin got a five minute cooling off! First yellow card!

The match was played in the midfield for next ten minutes. Shin got us a PC. Shin drag flicked to the keepers right and BAMM, rattled the back board. Dave Aston also had a swing at the ball, but failed to connect the ball; typical defender.

Later, Darren made a brilliant save but the umpire gave a 16. Match gained pace after that. Sticks were flying and bodies were crushed. The umpire got bored and handed out another card, I think it was green this time, but to the opposition.

One-nil till the half time. No one expected that. Harry Chalk had a speech ready, but seems like he forgot it. I remember what Dave said; it had words like, "man-to-man", "you", "better", "them", "than"!

Second half started and we were three-nil up in five minutes. Goals from Harry Lewis and Jack Chalk. Cool, calm tap-ins 2 yards from the goal line, some say it was 2½ yards.

Harry’s goal – Ollie to Chris to Harry Chalk to Harry Lewis to goal.

Jack’s goal – Shin to Chris to Harry Chalk to Jack Chalk to goal.

Thirty minutes still to go and West Herts piled on more pressure. They got one back after some frantic defending gifted them a slap on the goal and the ball went past Darren’s left glove. M1s gained composure for next ten minutes, calmed our nerves and controlled the game.

Pearson and Harry in the midfield were commanding in their positions. A run from Chris meant that the only way to stop him was to foul him outside the D. That meant PC and a yellow card to West Herts. Second yellow card of the game. Shin stepped up and scored a loopy drag flick. The ball went in so slow that the keeper was deceived, defenders were deceived, and umpire was deceived. Four-one and fifteen minutes still to go.

Umpires were offering green and yellow cards again (where was Owen when he was most needed?) One green to West Herts. Mariano got a yellow for us, for touching a player. Colin’s ADL was responded with – “Yes, we will have PCs ADL!” #Cheeky

Darren and our defence saved all the PCs in the last ten minutes. In one of the last moves of the game, a long ball from Stu to Harry meant that Harry was able to go into the D, get pushed on the back and get the gift of a flick. Bhav stepped up and rather than flicking the ball, slapped the ball in the net. Umpires are always correct! Later he was given an earful: “Hitting the P-Flick?? Thought you were the best in the club?”, “Can’t arrange drinks and can’t take a flick! Embarrassing!”

In the end, this match will be remembered for the blood spilt on the pitch, the four yellow cards and four green cards.

Harry Chalk was awarded MOM for his efforts in creating chances and bossing the midfield. Also, managing to not get a yellow card. Bhav was awarded LOM for his embarrassing flick.