The weekend was characterised by battles of teams from far away lands separated by great seas. One a historic battle dating back to 1927 and separated by the Atlantic Ocean attracting a global audience in the millions, international fame and years of endorsements.  The other a grudge match between the Purple and Blues (well Orange but more of that later), separated by the meandering Cam, a famous incident in Lola Lo’s that shall not be discussed and to quote our Social Secretary attracting ‘a big crowd’ as the onlookers outnumbered those on the pitch presented an opportunity to claim a prize beyond measure……Cambridge’s best (non national league) men’s team. 

Whilst Europe’s great blue and yellow army led by Rory, Victor and Tommy dominated their American counterparts and partied into the Italian night; a little closer to home victory for the boys in Purple continued their recent success in the fixture and status as better blokes albeit without a golden trophy to drink out of. 

On first appearances Sam’s team for the weekend had an element of a Ryder Cup team to it. A mixture of youthful rookie’s with enthusiasm to burn (Schu, Conor, Tim), experienced returning pro’s for whom the next day involves a stiff back and tight hamstrings (Joel, Chalky and Jacko), the powerful backbone of the team who provide the points (too many to name), supportive vice captains encouraging from the side (Tom and Tim’s supporters club) as well as those who sadly did not get a captains pick for the event and instead spent their time doing European things somewhere eating baguettes and sipping red wine (Harry Lewis, Ed). 

Mentally the game was won before it even started. South with 15 powerful fine specimen of mankind (a couple reminding themselves which way up the stick went) up against the 9 Nomadic men and 3 boys who were so intimated before they game they changed from blue to orange to try and find their inner Tango.

South decided to give the crowd some entertainment for the first 55minutes dominating possession and racking up a solid xG without troubling the scores to often. South took the lead through their own Justin Rose fab finisher as Jacko struck the net midway through the first half. The following 30 mins or so followed a traditional pattern with Nat, our very own Luke Donald, providing wise words from the sideline such as ‘faster’ and ‘more intensity’ often followed by a groan usually accompanying a missed putt from 5ft. 

As the game wore on South’s wore down their Nomadic opposition continuing to dominate possession and rightly earning themselves a flick which Scott stuck away. Moments later South won a short corner which Stu preceded  to celebrate more than the actual goals themselves and even more remarkably shortly after scoring himself to take his season tally to two. 

South quickly followed up with a fourth putting the game to bed with a solid 4-1 victory. 

With the victory secured it was time for the trophy ceremony with Pudds winning the honourable award for September’s Teachers Pet (aka best trainer) and Sam securing his 100th cap for the M1s & the obligatory bottle of Italian Bubbles. Trophies turned into European lagers (and some very beige food) before South’s intrepid youth headed to Germany (Oktoberfest) and in search of their European counterparts. 

As the sun rose on Monday morning Europe’s hero’s look forward to another opportunity to test themselves away in Ipswich next weekend whilst for Rory, Victor and Tommy they shall have to wait two more years for their next weekend together in the sun. Ah what it is to be a man of South. 

P.S. - I’ll write this here once so it’s forever recorded - Stu Rimmer - 2 league goals in 3 league games 2023/24 - M1s (joint) leading scorer.