A great day awaited. Jan had conducted a very early pitch inspection (not really needed) and Joel had got his thermometer out. "It was cold." Precision at its finest.

Nevertheless, after a strong warm up, South looked energised for the game ahead. Potters Bar, who had traveled many hours from London, have had some inconsistent form in recent weeks, winning some by a large margin and falling foul of the league which continues to confuse all involved.

South started brightly, moving the ball around the pitch well and creating some strong chances. Owen (last week's man of the match) went close with a shot from the top of the D and (to his credit) stayed off the umpires' Christmas card list for the full game. Sadly it was the opposition who struck first from a short corner, slotting home at the right post around a confused South defence. South remained resolute for the rest of the first half and felt confident for the change of ends. Half time went remarkably well; Harry remembered his lines and Stu asked the team to raise the tempo and energy for the second half.

Sadly this enthusiasm didn't last particularly long as P-Bar moved up the left wing and slotted home after some sloppy defending, scoring the first open play goal South have conceded in almost three hundred minutes (stats credit to Mr B Virdi, not yet verified by Jan-stats). The game opened up through in the second half, with the visitors and South going close, but closed out two-nil at full time.

Such was the quality of play across the pitch that frequent supporters, Sarah Rimmer and Katie Hockley, won Women of the Match for some top quality baking for match teas. Pearson grabbed Lemon for a fantastic tackle on the opposition's full back which would be applauded on most rugby pitches.

As the league continues to confound, South host Blueharts next week with eyes on a win to take us to the festive break.