Having endured the second national lockdown, the M6 huddled together (2m apart) to shiver in their limited Covid pitch side box at 5pm on a cold, misty December night. Inside however they were all raring to go! That was all except Wilco who was still enjoying the cosy comforts of his warm car well into the first half. Don’t blame him…but fully deserving of LOM.

Unfortunately for South, the opposition - a strong St Ives side - were equally full of beans. The result? - A high octane end-to-end game with plenty of excellent hockey from both sides.

South started the stronger side, but it was St Ives who started the scoring. A hard hit into the D neatly deflected gave Michael no chance. It was however not long before South levelled the score as Stu dribbled neatly into the D and somehow found the gap between the keepers feet: 1-1.

For the next 20 minutes South were on top. With the midfield of Simon, Ian, Stu, Jo (and eventually Wilco) dominating, the second goal came after a cross from Stu found Rob in front of the keeper, who rather than shooting, selflessly picked a neat pass to James for the easiest of tap ins- 2-1.

It was the third goal however which was most spectacular. Receiving the ball top D on the left, Andy T launched an absolute thunderbolt into the Ives net so earning him MOM. Now 3-1 St Ives responded, but the solid defensive line of Jan, Nick, Laurie, Ky and Will held firm. Half Time.

St Ives knowing they had a game on their hands upped the intensity. Now matching South in the mid field St Ives held firm against a number of good South attacks and half chances and then launched some powerful counter attacks led by their influential numbers 83 and 18. Eventually the South defence was breached and their number 83 produced a reverse stick thunderbolt to match Andy’s from the first half: 3-2.

Now with everything to play for, the effort levels of both teams reached extreme and then desperate and then a fast counter attack saw St Ives two on one, then only Michael to beat in goal. A brilliant save, but only as far as another Ives forward! Michael now grounded out of goal could only look back. But Stu was there on the goal line. Could he save it? No! 3-3 That opened up the final 5 minutes, yet more high intensity hockey with chances at both ends. Rob poaching near the St Ives goal came close for South, but then another fast break from St Ives and another two on – no it was just Michael! Cometh the hour… and cometh the Michael… brilliantly anticipating the pass intercepting the ball to save South a point. 3-3 it finished (before we were all plunged into utter darkness) – a fair result for an excellent game.