We have two reports for this week's game:

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The encounter with unbeaten champions-elect Rutland saw a second successive defeat for Cambridge South 2nds but a performance completely transformed from the previous weekend's half-arsed shambles against St Neots.

With Rutland a handful of points from wrapping up the title, South knew they would be eager to finish the job. South approach the match in a positive mood though – with no expectation of anything from the game, the team were liberated to play with freedom and ambition, looking to regain some fluidity in their play.

Indeed, so it turned out, with South starting on the front foot and making early inroads towards Rutland's twenty-five. Debutant Mike Coffin, at the tip of the midfield diamond, was getting up well to support Mark Pears and Rob Barton in attack. His reward duly came when his well-placed lifted shot from a tight-angle near the left backline squeezed between the post and the keeper to open the scoring for South.

Although buoyed by their positive start, South immediately had to face an onslaught from a Rutland side stung by the novel experience of going behind. Attacking with pace and verve, Rutland pressed on to the South defence and some desperate defending resulted in a succession of short corners. With firm and accurate injections and the ability to strike the ball hard and with precision, Rutland's short corner routine proved deadly. Three strikes were buried in short order past Steve Parker in the South goal. These sandwiched a clever score as a Rutland attacker driving into the D from the right feinted to centre the ball before burying it inside Steve's near post.

Rutland's relentless pressure and dead-ball prowess seemed to threaten a cricket score with only around a third of the match played. Focusing on their performance rather than the score though, South's spirits didn't drop. Disciplined play from George Wych, Rich Morgan, Dave Monck and Neil Sneade in the South defence dried up Rutland's supply of short corners. Meanwhile, Matt Kern and Mike began to reassert themselves in midfield to make a real contest of the game.

Half-time was reached without further score. Although still three goals down, the mood amongst the Southerners was upbeat with the quality of the performance clearly ahead of the previous week's disappointing display. Encouraged by captain Kevin Rowland to continue playing their positive, open hockey, South were eager to resume.

Three goals to the good, possibly Rutland thought the result was already settled but again it was South who started the better. This time it was Arsenal's turn to surprise Rutland, slotting the ball home to claw back the deficit to two. Again though, showing the mark of champions, Rutland responded to the reverse. Their fast, skilful players earned another short corner, which was duly despatched with the same aplomb as their earlier efforts.

As the half wore on though, Rutland proved unable to build on their lead. They were frustrated on one occasion by a superb diving save by Steve to sweep the ball away from an onrushing forward with an outstretched stick. Indeed it was South who were coming more and more into the game, continuing to commit men forward and forcing the Rutland keeper into action. With the match entering the final quarter, the Monckosaurus carried the ball forward into the Rutland half. Having drawn the opposing player in, he played a disguised pass into the path of Neil advancing from right back. He collected the ball in his stride before driving past the Rutland defence to the backline and striking a pass on the run back towards the P spot. Dave Aston, finding a yard from his marker, swept a beautiful first-time strike low to the keeper's left and into the corner of the goal.

Scenting the faintest whiff of an upset, South redoubled their efforts. There were five minutes left on the clock when, from a partial clearance following another South attack, the loose ball was gathered by Neil near the middle of the pitch. He held off a Rutland challenge to deliver a ball forward through a gap in the defence. At the top of the D, Arsenal collected the pass and unleashed a swift strike to bring up his second goal of the day.

Suddenly, the margin was down to a single goal. On a warm spring day and with neither side having substitutes, legs were tiring. It was now South who were in the ascendant and looking the team likeliest to score, whilst Rutland were restricted to hanging on to their lead and trying to run down the clock.

Sadly for South, time ran out before the equaliser could be found. At the final whistle South could feel proud of a good display and a winning second half performance, while Rutland admitted relief at taking all three points. With four of Rutland's five goals coming from short corners, it was the visitors' ruthlessness at set plays which ultimately separated the teams.

After the game captain Kev said, "That was exactly the response we needed after last week and a performance which showed what we are capable of as a team. It says a lot that we are coming away disappointed to have lost to the division champions. Another ten minutes and the result could have been completely different."

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After the poor display the against St Neots last week, the team had some work to do to raise their game. They were to have the opportunity to do this against the league leaders Rutland, who were in the enviable position of not having lost a game all season.

Captain Kev Rowland called for the team to focus on regaining their best game and to play the team hockey they were capable of. If that was done successfully then the game would be enjoyable and would give the best chance for a result.

South took this to heart and came out of the blocks with gusto. An early attack in the first five minutes led to South going ahead 1-0 through Mike Coffin. This served to stir Rutland into action and they responded, creating chances through good ball and player movement so that by half time they were 4-1 to the good with three slick short corners and one unstoppable drive from just inside the D. However, the game was much more even than the scoreline suggested, South having missed a few opportunities to score; denied by their keeper who was quick to smother the ball, the flicks needed to get them over his quickly prone position were replaced by attempts to bore a hole through his midriff!

At half time therefore things didn't look good. However, South did not let their heads drop and went out for the second period with a motivation to keep their heads up and do everything to get something back against the worthy league leaders. The deficit was narrowed shortly after the restart when Mark P slotted in after a good move. Again, however, Rutland came straight back and scored another short to reassert their three goal margin.

Both sides were playing with no subs so fitness was also a factor. As the game progressed it became very open with South having the upper hand and putting huge pressure on the Rutland keeper who, although he responded magnificently, could not prevent first Dave Aston striking a superb shot in from distance and then Mark P getting his second with five minutes left on the clock.

Sadly, that was not quite enough time to get an equaliser, but Rutland themselves agreed that with another five or ten minutes South might even have come away with three points.

So, a much better performance. South unquestionably outplayed their opposition in the second half, winning the half 3-1 but it wasn't enough to get a point. However, the team were able to go home with the satisfaction of having played good hockey.

Captain Kev felt that this week the team demonstrated what they are capable of against good opposition, it was a great team performance, every players skills and work ethic were on top form.