It all started on a rainy Friday night. With Bella’s instructions to make sure we all had plenty of food for the trek up north, the team were busy preparing sandwiches. Next came a WhatsApp from Lucy saying that due to the predicted bad weather the game was in question and we all had to be alert at 8 am to make sure it was going ahead (Horncastle’s pitch is prone to flooding). Luckily the L3s were determined to get the one hundred and eighty-six miles under their belts and come back with some points. We braved the weather and we didn’t disappoint.

I think the entire team would agree that Horncastle L2s were worthy opponents and played some excellent hockey. We were actually behind two-one at half time, but came back on the pitch unfaltering and with a drive to get three points on the board (after all we had travelled all that way and braved the weather).

Anna sealed the deal with a hat-trick (we think – Niamh K got a touch on one which seemed to be a done deal, but always best to make certain)! Anna’s eye for finding the back of the net won her several Player of the Match (PoM) votes, however Emma J (on her debut for the L3s no less) secured the title for her fabulous play in midfield with great linking and passing. Rachel and Niamh F shortly followed with PoM votes for being solid in their respective positions. Votes also went to Tabby, Jess (thanks, team) and Olivea. To have so many PoM nominees just shows what a great team effort this win was!

The trip up north wasn’t without its hurdles. A flat battery and leaving her stick behind won Olivia her Lemon of the Match (she got home eventually), although a strong contender was Emma C for forgetting that the ball has to start in the middle of the pitch when a goal is scored and not from where she called, “I’ve got it.” (Emma plays defence.)

All in all, a very successful trip for the L3s and another very enjoyable game!