South turned host to welcome our Suffolk friends – complete with their always-good-to-see ex-South alumni – to fortress Long Road on the back of a 1-2 defeat at Newmarket last weekend.  This was a chance for instant revenge for that narrow defeat.

The attention was on the youngsters of Thomas G and debutant Kieran B – both of whom would earn MoM awards – whose spark lit the game.  However, it was left to the old wizarding school of John G and Rob B – both of whom would earn LoM awards – to slot home and earn the victory.  

The game started brightly for the visitors who kept South on the back foot for much of the first quarter (we played with water breaks which was a nice touch in the warm April sun).  A few wondrous saves from Mike G and last gasp tackles from Ky H, Martin G and Sean G weren’t enough to prevent the visitors opening the scoring after a try, try and try again series of shots.  Shahzad A and Tendayi R did well to quell the fast Newmarket forwards and set up the occasional foray forwards.  Doubling-up James H used his speed and skill to provide defensive cover and keep the damage to a single goal.  This would prove decisive in the end.

At the other end there were sparse pickings for the forwards with debutant Kieran B looking lively accompanied by veterans of the sport John G and Rob B.  The latter’s shot was going wide before the former’s trademark lightning reactions deflected expertly into the corner.  One all – slightly against the run of play to be fair.

The second half was a more even affair with South’s midfield turning the tables and starting to control the game.  Ian M was tireless in his desire to win the ball.  Paul S and Jo D – also doubling (I'll bet they slept well Saturday night!) put in a second mega-shift of the day.  All of the midfield were really enjoying the battle now – not least Thomas G who is growing with every outing – and were tuned in to the game.  However, it was Nev W – perhaps in his new-found role of midfield general – whose class turned the game.  A break up the right from Tendayi and Kieran fell to Nev who shimmied one way creating space for a firecracker of a cross, which Rob B gratefully angled high into the net.  That was just about enough and ten minutes later it was all over.

Men of the Match accolades were shared by the energised youngsters, with John's thumb and Rob's substitution earning them Lemon awards.  Two fun encounters between closely-matched sides and on balance even spoils seems about right.  Long live the Benedikz Cup!

Can we have another pair of fixtures before the summer hiatus, please Jan and JDB?