Faced with a 10.30am push back, the trip up the A1 to Uppingham demanded an early start for the South 2nds. South were duly assembled at Milton Tesco's and raring to go by the appointed 8.10am meet time, all except right back Neil Sneade that is, who was just emerging from under his duvet. After a few quick messages to confirm that Neil would be following on, the rest of the squad departed for Uppingham.

On arrival, South discovered that the impressive pitch was unfortunately not matched by the changing facilities and were compelled to accommodate themselves in the incapacious environs of the Ladies' Staff Toilet. Checking the progress of their errant defender, it was found that Neil had made good speed and was only a few miles away. In fact, he had made up so much time that he'd decided to reward himself with a breakfast stop at a nearby Little Chef! Arriving thirty minutes later at 10.00am to find his team mates still sheltering from the freezing winds in their miniscule vestibule, their jeers (accompanied by a volley of handily-situated tennis balls) were rejoined by Neil's incredulity that, while he'd been enjoying breakfast in a sunny window seat at the Little Chef, they'd chosen instead to spend the last half hour huddled together in the ladies' loos. Whatever floats your boat…

Having delivered as dignified a team talk as was possible under the circumstances, captain Kev led his men forth from their incommodius commode for the pre-match warm up. South were looking good but the unbeaten Rutland team, high-flying league leaders, were also showing some ominous skills.

From the push back, South were under pressure from Rutland's clever movement and polished interplay. Largely eschewing the wings, Rutland were utilising the skilled and powerful players down the spine of their team to burst through the South midfield and find space at the top of the D. Within three minutes of the start, Rutland laid down a marker of intent as a forward collected the ball and, with a powerful rising strike, buried it into the far corner of the South goal.

South regrouped and began moving the ball wide, trying to make progress down the wings through full backs Ron Oren and Neil and wide players Dave Aston and Tim Clapp ahead of them. The strategy was showing prospects of success but, with Rutland still controlling the middle of the park, South's vulnerability had not been cured. Another burst of hard-running midfield play from Rutland again opened the South defence and a second strike was dispatched as confidently as the first.

With determination and hard work, South began to contain Rutland, Nick Bristowe in particular working non-stop to try and screen the defence from Rutland's attacking runs. Up front, Rob Barton was harrying defenders while Mark Pears was chasing every ball played into space. He succeeded in breaking through on to the Rutland keeper and drawing a save, showing that their were vulnerabilities in Rutland's armour to be exploited.

As the half drew towards a close, South's hopes of reaching half time still within touching distance of Rutland suffered a blow as another attack from their opponents saw the ball fall to an attacker on the left of the D. Keeper Lino Di Lorenzo covered the angle but a firm shot flew inches past his pads to bring up the third goal.

At half time, South took the decision to flatten their midfield diamond to try and provide better protection for the defence, who too often in the first half had found themselves outnumbered and overrun. From the restart, South took the game to the opposition and a somewhat sluggish Rutland seemed to have taken their foot off the gas. With sustained periods of play in the Rutland half and Dave and Tim in particular getting behind their defenders, South were looking the side more likely to score.

However, the goal when it came was from the home team. A swift break again gave Rutland numbers over in attack and their ever-deadly strikers took full advantage to add the fourth. The score seemed to kick start Rutland and they began to show more of their earlier form. South were still mounting attacks of their own but Rutland were able to hold off the threat and then move play up swiftly when they gained possession. Rutland's discipline and control in defence was shown by the fact that, despite a good amount of play in their D, they conceded not a single short corner in the entire game.

Rutland's fifth goal came from a piece of individual skill by one of their core of three or four exceptional players. Carrying the ball in from the twenty-five, he beat several challenges to enter the top of the D and, with South slow to close him down, took his time to look up and pick his spot before sending the ball past Lino.

The final Rutland goal reflected their earlier efforts: a fast attack down the middle of the park saw a player bursting clear into the D, forcing Neil at right back to leave the left winger and come across to try and block the shooting chance. Showing presence of mind, the Rutland attacker made the simple switch left to the now-unmarked winger who, with no challenge, shot confidently past the stranded Lino.

So, a tough match for South, who lost their unbeaten league record. Consolation came from the hospitality of the Rutland players and the excellent match teas laid on afterwards at a local hotel. South did not show their best hockey but a lot of credit for that must go to Rutland, who always possessed the pace and skill to disrupt the away side's game. Against a team clearly destined to be league champions this season though, South should not be too downheartened: it is not the results against Rutland that will determine their final league position. Next weekend's match against March Town, another team in the chasing pack for the second promotion place, will be far more crucial.