First; a bit of respect to our opponents for the day, Alford and District Hockey Club, who for their away days make the drive to Cambridge. Several times a season they do that – well done, a committed team.

Secondly; us.

The best part of five hours of driving, the best part of 200 miles, the best part…a 5-1 win and three more points. Not bad for a creaking bandwagon.

Yes, it is a long way- we’d all had the date circled in the diaries. And those twelve not sharp enough to make ‘other plans’ met at various points across the city and headed north.

Obligatory McD stop was had, Boston was admired, cabbage (or sprout) plants were discussed, conversation flowed, Boosts were eaten, tractors were passed and Toby slept. We made it there in good time.

In the absence of Doug the warm up baton was passed to Kenz; it was going well. However, the skipper pointed out, ‘Why don’t we do it in the sun? That’ll be warmer.’ – It’s that kind of thinking that gets men to the top.

The game started brightly, sand was flying everywhere – well, we were at the seaside. Challenges were flying in from all angles (“Ok then, just play to the whistle”). Kenz did make some friends in the corner, and after gluing his stick back together we went again.

Despite the visitors dominance of possession, A&D were quick on the break and created chances. Old man NBM seemed to have picked the short straw in trying to keep up with their flying winger. Luckily said flying winger was actually about 10m ahead of all of his teammates so the breakaways didn’t come to anything.

The first goal wasn’t too long in coming – on one of the many slaloming runs by Menz (whilst humming Ski Sunday under his breath), the first line of packed defence was passed, hacks and whacks ensued in the melee and the ball fell to Wanz (is that his name in the boyband or is it Frank LampWalsh?). Slapped in at the back post – high fives!

It was around this point PuddeAnns went on a barnstorming run into the oppo twenty-five. What on earth is he doing? Continuing to run off the pitch in some weird shuffle – oh no, the rolling hands signal! Hamstrings like a Polge… NBA, with the calm authority of a man who once captained a side to two successive promotions - or was that relegations? - gladly moved away from LB and slotted in comfortably next to the skipper. “Max – you’re young and keen, you come in and mark the quick lad.” Both blokes, playing out of position, put in fine performances, thumbs up.

Goal #2 was a fine strike on the run by Kenz (couple of mentions now in this report – he must have played well). Bullet’ed it past the def and GK from the top of the D. HT 0-2, battles being won, CSHC well on top. Keep it that way and we’ll be fine.

The second half saw a slight lack of positional discipline sneak in, but we remained in control. Next goal up was originated from the back, slick passing all around, driven into the D by Walsh and slotted in by Russell (I don’t get many so I may have let out a bit of a scream and a jig).

Kenz smashed in the fourth from the top of the D, again, sweetly powering in an undercut into the top corner – no chance for the keeper.

Shahzad had not had much to do but had done admirably between the sticks when called on – but couldn’t do anything for the A&D goal, another good strike from the top of the D.

South’s fifth was a Manny special – with little regard for anyone foolish enough to attempt a tackle, he snuck through, rounded the keeper and popped it in. Job done.

One car headed off to save marriages – the rest headed off for something to eat and keep us going. Well done to all that made the trip, a credit to the club each and every one of you.