A satisfying victory for the M4s to maintain the gap at the top of Div 6NW(S).

The day was cold and dismal, but the hockey wasn't.

A Monckosaurus short corner double, and a neat assist (JJ short corner to Dave Monck, blatted to the lurking Paul South by the post to divert into goal) was not quite enough to earn Mr Monck the MoM award. This went to Ian "Terrier" Marshman, who had seemingly been raiding his medicine cabinet for something enlivening. He was everywhere, causing annoyance to any opponent unfortunate to get close as the Doc took the ball away.

Rob Barton got the other goal from a trademark Jimmy "Lightning" Wood dribble and pull back from the byline to Mr B, who stabbed the ball past the diving keeper. Jimmy was an acclaimed winner of LoM, as he repeatedly failed to notice the fence carefully positioned five yards past the end of the pitch to stop errant hockey players wasting energy by running too much. On the plus side, Jimmy had usually run fifty yards with the ball dancing at his feet past bemused defenders, and made a telling reverse stick cross to the danger area before impaling himself.

Guest keeper Ben Thompson was a calm and assured presence, but had little to do in the game, as the solid Lui/Williamson/Druett/Monck/Dias defence proved impregnable.

It was great to bounce back from a rather strange previous weekend, with confidence. Even though St Neots's midfield had decent possession for a period before half time, the home side tightened up after the break, and were able to use the width of the pitch with flowing moves - thanks JJ, Doc, Wilco, Paul - which could have resulted in more goals for Barton, Greaves and Lightning, but for a good St Neots goalkeeper.

Everyone played well, including joint "supporters of the day", Isaac and Emily. Much appreciated given the iffy weather.