We arrived at St Ives’ Outdoor complex to find football matches, motorbike training and an ultramarathon in place (100 mi in 24 hours, round a track). The hockey pitch was a welcome sight!

The sky was dramatic. Clouds scattered and greyed. Emotions were varied. Our first game in 4 weeks. Exciting? Terrifying? Well, it was a sandy Astro…

We were allowed a decent warm up, and soon became familiar with the pitch surface.

The game began, and quickly South took possession, drawing up the wings and into the D. It was clear the umpires were on it, with long and short corners being given aplenty. The opposition held strong, and used communication to direct their own players. This wouldn’t stop South 5s, even if we were our usual quiet selves. Within the first 6 minutes, Charlotte had knocked a goal in. By half time, south had gained another goal. Goals should have been in high numbers (how many attack did we have? Over half the team…no way!), opportunity and dominance were there. Sadly, St Ives had the odd opportunity through a break and even a couple of short corners. One scrappy one lead to their first (and only!) goal being pushed into the corner. Our first goal to concede this season. But hey, we’ve got to give other teams some hope. Half time. 2-1 South.

Half time provided a much needed catch up: what were we missing? What could we change or add? Sweeties. They helped. Poor Claire was famished just watching in goal. We recognised this was our first game in a little while and we had quite a new team (shout out to Emily, Charlotte, Camille and Daisy on their debuts!).

The second half started with us determined to gain those goals we’d not achieved despite the dominance. The sun was shining. The clouds had dispersed. We were ready.

And what a second half it was. Play became second nature. Lovely passing 1:2s, drives up the wings and some fantastic stick work as attackers weaved into the D. Our defence, made up of Rosie, Rebecca and Claire in goal, remained strong in the key moments where Ives made a break. Meanwhile high defence, Nicole, Louisa and Daisy, pushed up higher to maximise support and put pressure on the oppo in attack, with plenty of passes switching our attacking direction. In actual midfield, were some of our 7 attackers, KA, Emily, Camille and Polly. They worked tirelessly to drive into the D and make shots on goal. Speaking of attackers, our forwards, Indi, Charlotte, Holly and Sarah, had a field day. They took many shots on goal! Both Sarah and Holly had grapples which left them hungry for more.

The second half really saw the team cooperate as a team, making weeks off matches and a new team formation a small step in this season. Here’s to more matches this coming month and further development within our team! Lovely to be back ey.

Special shout outs to our new members, you all smashed it and were a credit to our team.

POM noms went to Charlotte, Indi, Louisa, Nic and Emily, with Charlotte winning for her wonderful debut and confidence striking at goal. Hat trick for her and also for Emily – superb!

LOM noms went to KA, Camille, Polly, Claire and Louisa, with Polly securing the award for her reluctance to move back to the right side of the pitch after a South goal!