A delayed start for Cambridge South 3rds, sponsored by PwC, at a very cold venue with no chance to warm up inevitably led to a slow start. Luckily only the home team were affected.

The CSouth defence, with Steve Fleck in an unaccustomed sweeper position, supported by the excellent SneadeEvansPassmore, provided an impenetrable barrier enabling those further up field to prosper. Tom South (aged not-a-lot) buzzed away fearlessly up front against physical opponents and got his reward by making the right wing move that led to James Pope's first goal, a typical long range thunderbolt.

More goals were always likely as CSouth enjoyed good possession and used it well, up the middle and on both wings, to get to the danger area. Only two more came in the first half, with skipper John Greaves nutmegging the keeper from a couple of yards out. Greaves turned provider shortly after, selflessly passing back to Paul South at the top of the D from a melee, for South to tonk the ball into goal.

The floodgates opened after half time. Wilco Dijkstra, loitering close to the keeper, neatly place the ball into the corner, and then man of the match James Pope demonstrated how things should be done with a solo dribble ending with another corker. Paul South got his second, taking a knock back from the keeper after a free hit, again from range. Matt Kern, straight off the subs bench, rifled a shot in from a tight angle for the 7th.

By this stage CSouth had worn down the Ely team, who tried to keep going but were out played and outrun, by continued intelligent hockey from the away side. This enabled Greaves to notch up his hattrick, scoring two more goals; one from a Wilco Dijkstra effort which was thinking about not going into goal before Greaves swept it over the line from close range. The final goal was down to good work by the constantly dangerous Rupert Espley who hassled the keeper sufficiently to get a shot in, which Greaves got a reverse stick onto, ensuring it found the net.

Steve Parker, kindly filling in as GK, played well too when called upon to hoof the ball away from the D.

CSouth 3rds made this a convincing victory, kept going throughout, used the width of the pitch, and played as a team. Let's continue in the same vein for the remainder of the league season.