The M4s travelled to Bourne to enjoy the Rugby World Cup final, sharing coffee and croissants with the opposition.

Being the token South Africa on the side and the only Saffer among a room full of England supporters, I sat quietly nervous praying my team would prevail. However win or lose it was already written in the stars that I would be awarded the match day Lemon vote.

Now to the hockey.

A fourteen man squad with a couple of new guys bolstering the team to take on Bourne, whom we have an unwritten vendetta against for beating us twice during 2018/19 season, so this time round we were determined to whip some butt. Oh, before I forget and in case you didn’t know, South Africa are world champions, beating England 32-12 I think?

Back to the hockey.

Tee off and the game is underway with the usual to’ing and fro’ing, backwards and forwards, left and right, up and down we go, both sides battling it out for supremacy. Penalty flicks here, short corners there and bang! We score, compliments of Dan Loy. Then Bourne come back with a goal as the first half whistle goes. Some much needed play strategy from the skipper. OK guys, let’s do this.

Second half starts and so does the rain; a practical deluge but we waiver not, steadfast in our quest we push on seeking out the winning goal and what do you know…BOOM! Bourne score another one. Gutted.

Now we are seriously cross and the tempo steps up. Showing patience, switching play at the back with guys running into space and off the ball, we press forwards. Sadly the end of the half comes quicker than we anticipated. Bourne take home the spoils of the day but not all is lost because South Africa won the rugby in case you didn’t know.

Next time, Bourne, next time…only this time it will be CSHC home advantage, we hope!