So finally the M6 plane got off the runway after several false starts, against an M5s’ team bristling with talent.

Newcomers including Naka Adigwe making his debut in goal, combined with M5 regulars from the Ta and Grove clans, and old friends (Alex Larkinson) to provide some strong opposition for big Sean’s 5s’ team.

Both teams got off to a lively start with the M6s having a slight edge in the opening few minutes, but unable to convert this advantage. It was the opposition that struck first with the ever-improving James Yu finding the back of the net.

Undeterred the away team continued to push hard and a Simon Ta short corner strike rebounded off the keeper as far as the 6s’ captain, whose deflection across the goal found ‘super defender’ Alex Larkinson waiting on the far post to volley the ball home.

Most of the half-time break was spent by both teams trying to work out if the other had more players or not following the departure of Team Grove and George ‘Zara’ Toynton.

Early in the second half the M6s had a Simon Ta strike disallowed for the ball going out of play. From this point the balance of play shifted in favour of the home team with youngsters James Yu, Pip Ho and Tom Steed (who invited him to play?!?) causing havoc amongst the 6s’ defence. This led to a further four goals including one from Jo Dant who had briefly swapped sides! This and a single-handed (quite literally!) charge down the right wing, which produced an equally spectacular save from 5s’ keeper Mike Gillingham to frustrate the 6s further, led to a well deserved MoM for JD!

Despite the score line, a closely fought game much enjoyed by everyone.

The brave souls who made it past the Queen Edith’s roadworks (Jelley + 2x Steeds) completely failed to consume eight pizzas so these were returned to the hungry masses waiting at Long Road.

LoM was a close call but the captain’s decision came down in favour of Tom Steed for various misdemeanors that even Andy T would have been proud of including:

1. Stealing his dad’s shirt.
2. Having to go back home to collect his shin pads and missing pushback.
3. When he did eventually arrive, taking forever to get ready to come by which time stand-in winger Jo Dant had already scored for the opposition.