This was the first of the second round of league matches this season. It’s been a great season so far for us and it feels like we are growing as a team and getting stronger with each game.

So what about this game… we went into this one with no pressure having lost 0-6 in the official match and losing 1-5 in the earlier abandoned game. This was really just a chance to test how much we had grown as a squad.

Pre match talk focused on game play and roles in the new formation. We were keen to try what we had practised on Thursday with Paul and Tim.

So what about the game, yeah, we lost - 0-3. It could have been 1-3 but for the disallowed goal - which by the way was a great goal from Steph in the early part of the game and could have potentially been the first time Newmarket had had to come back from behind this season. But it wasn’t to be…

The game, both halves, went end to end. Newmarket are this season, a well drilled and quality team. But we didn’t stop trying either. We had worked in training on keeping the wing channels free and we didn’t deliver a bad effort at first try. We definitely stepped up our game and now all we need to do is create the same pressure against other teams in the league.

So what about who did what in the game - this is where it gets a bit shaky because I have lost the bits of paper for the MOM and LOM votes. I do know LOM wasn’t me for once. Hannah got quite a few for being unable to remember which was her stick & of course the disallowed goal featured.

POM votes were spread across our solid defence. They played their socks off for us and the votes were well deserved. Captain Lucy got a few for her skill and drive down the left. Suzie in the centre got a few more for solid play; Hannah got votes for her tenacity and commitment with some great takes and brilliant shouting - Hannah we love you for that; Anna (not me, the younger one) was nominated for some fantastic balls into space and Lydia for her great saves - welcome back Lydia. But sneaking to the POM spot was Tabby - for great runs, great skills and some key passes into the attacking zone, all delivered in that great Tabby way - huge smiles and gentle grace. Well deserved Tabby.

Final say goes to Tim, thank you for your support on Saturday, we owe you beer. What next - watch this space because as a team we mean business, we’ve got the coaches, we want to play better and we are going to give it a really good go in 2022…