A battling performance by Cambridge South 3rds, sponsored by PwC, secured a hard-fought win over March Town 5ths at the Perse School on Saturday.

South fielded an attacking formation against a team five places below them in the League, and were then put on the back foot early as March took the game to South with some determined and skilful hockey. The first half was played at a high tempo as two well-matched teams both looked for the advantage.

The early break went to March, who after forcing several good saves from Steve Parker, the South keeper, finally broke the deadlock with a well-taken goal. As South regrouped, sterling work in midfield from Tom Moy brought South back into the game, although the final ball proved elusive and at half time March still held their one goal lead.

Determined to recover the goal, South were almost embarrased from the second half hit-off as a quick March attack threatened a second goal. Recovering their composure, South began to gain the advantage in what was always a very close contest. Tom's dynamic midfield play began to link up with Tristen Knight at centre forward, with Neil Sneade and James Raikes giving good support down the wings. A succession of corners finally paid rewards when Tristen slipped Wilco Dijkstra's pass to Tom, who cracked the ball home with a hard strike from right to left across the D.

Reinvigorated by their goal, South pressed forward, although March continued to look dangerous. With it looking as if a draw might be the outcome of a tight match, South attacked again. Tristen linked with Neil on the left, who drove hard into the D and pulled the ball back from the byline, leading March to concede another short corner as they attempted to clear. Having already come close with a couple of attempts, Tristen again cracked the ball through the March defence. A slight deflection from a March stick wasn't enough to prevent the ball slamming into the March goal and South had turned around their half-time deficit into a 2-1 lead.

In the remaining minutes, March pressed again for the equaliser which many felt their display deserved, but South kept their discipline well to repulse March and take the victory.