We all know magpies are known scavenger and love stealing things shiny items from those who deservedly earned them. Harleston Magpies were no different last time they faced South; stealing precious points, robbing South after taking out two vital players and breaking our winning streak. South were out for vengeance and the Magpies were not going to get the treasure this time. 

Game day and South were on a similar winning streak to the first time they faced Harleston. In great spirits after coming off of a big win and continuing our great form, everyone was up for the game and very keen to show the league what we are made of. A result against the Magpies would make a huge statement to the rest of the teams and show just how good this team can be. 

Pre game goes well with Tim Winter proceeding with his new ritual of judging everyone’s pre game attire. This ritual showing the weak from the strong willed and who crumbles under the peer pressure to produce the best trackies (Mike with the nerves of steel). Despite watching a very nerve racking ending to the ladies game before us we remained in high spirit, rearing to go and beat posing the best in the league.

Our time has come. In the low winter sunlight we begin the game. Harleston break first with the psychological win by choosing their side of the pitch, giving South the pain of looking into the sun for the first half but this didn’t break our spirits. South came out strong, showing our quality despite the glaring sun in our eyes. Not being able to see anything didn’t stop South from pressing high and working together well to look dangerous from the start. A short corner is won and it was almost as if Jack Humby had been studying his opposition for months, ready for this moment. Before the game Humby had been insisting on a different short corner routine. Unlike Humby as he’s normally so hungry but he slips the ball to Scott who slaps the ball across for a lightening quick Highfield to beat the defenders to get a deflection over the keeper. South are one up.

After the goal we continue to play great hockey but with no luck on scoring again. With some close calls after mistakes made by South Harleston are looking more dangerous. South finally fumble and Magpies equalise due to a lack of concentration and a sneaky player hiding behind a South defender. It’s one-all as the half time whistle blows. 

An absolutely riveting and motivating team talk by captain Sam (Shu’s words) gets South back in fighting form and the second half starts strong. South are now reinvigorated and playing our best hockey. No longer having the sun blinding them they work the ball around the pitch nicely and seem to be the stronger team once again. Time passed with good work throughout the pitch but to no avail for either team. But then Harleston broke again. A good build up mixed with good fortune and South switching off for a matter of seconds, the Magpies work the ball around the D to find a player back post to give Mike no chance. South were behind for the first time.

This only motivated South to get back to the great hockey we’d been playing. With some good work through midfield from man of the match Ed, despite a good few swings and misses along the way, he gets the ball into the opposition D. The ball gets fired back out towards Ed and he lines up to shoot but out of nowhere Mark hurtles in smashing the ball into the D for Tim W to deflect into the far corner of the goal. South are back and Mark can’t contain himself as he mocks the Magpies by celebrating as a bird, flapping his wings as he goes past the opposition and the sideline [Ed - Vardy-esque].

South press high and continue the great play but the final whistle goes and we come away not only with a great game and valuable points but a strong message to the rest of the league that South are a force to be reckoned with.