It is a truth universally acknowledged that …. the course of the true way to the Stephen Perse pitch never runs smooth…. Earning Rosie a LoM nom for arriving at someone’s house, and Fi and Helen a solid warm-up as they did a spot of orienteering through the neighbourhood. 

Energy levels were way up on last week, and we got straight on with the first half, KA banging in a glorious, gratifying, golden goal at 6 mins 20 secs.  Then it turned gory as KA’s thumb earned its own LoM nom for hitting an opposition’s stick and spurting out ruby red blood, ensuring KA enjoyed the remainder of the game from the side-line.

At this point, Esme scored the first of her ‘Texas hat trick’, with her second goal from a reverse stick strike following swiftly.  Esme’s terrific performance earned her POM on her South debut:  votes were made by the team for her gorgeous goals and her ‘1 and 1/2s’ (Polly can explain …).  Way to go Esme! 

The L5s were all the while playing some determined hockey, strong builds from the defence, with great tackles by Daisy and Vicky, Annabel really driving up the right side (earning her a PoM nom), smart tackles and passes in midfield by Nicole, Polly, Camille, Helen, Fi and Louisa (earning her a PoM nom), and driving attacks from Holly, Charlotte, and Esme.  Charlotte almost scored, sadly the ball was just outside the D but it was a great strike (both PoM and LoM noms earned!).

The opposition didn’t go quietly however, and with a short corner conceded by South, they smashed in a terrific goal in the 37th minute…. Cue a moment of excellence from our Captain Nicole, fresh from a birthday tequila session and keeping goal for the L6s, who made a swift run into the D and banged one home!  Was she wearing shin pads?  Who knows – and frankly who cares – we went into half time 4-1 up. 

Our wonderful coach Chris supported us throughout the game, offering useful advice at half time and promising that his new Hockey App would deal with the subbing plan – which we shouldn’t  worry about anymore...  However, the second half started with only 10 South players on the pitch, earning Chris’ App overall LoM winner! Technology eh? 

So, with Charlotte back on and scoring a cracker at the 56th minute, Louisa finally managed to secure a cheeky LoM nom for sitting on the ball, and Esme snuck in her third and fourth (that’s how the Texan’s do it!).  Cassie managed to perform a ninja move and deflect a goal strike back onto the attacking player and with the opposition scoring from a second short corner, the match ended 7-3 to South!  Cassie had shouted – a little – but her voicebox remained intact.

The opposition were so friendly they gave us their pizzas – all in all a lovely afternoon.