Weather is getting colder, nights are drawing in, and extra layers are being brought down from lofts. It is no secret that many of the L1 players like a nice fleece to train in, to be seen about town in, and to achieve glorious comebacks against promotion favourites in. Sadly there is no agreement yet on a team fleece that would suit all, so for now – a commentary on the individual selections for each is as follows:

• Jenny - Chemist, Lawyer, 7 A*’s, home owner, married - this captain has her life together more than the rest of us put together. Needs something with guaranteed high performance, quietly expensive, something with a technical spec and lots of pockets. This screams authority in the D

• Izzy – the current quintessential L1s fleece. Comfortable, wearable, a little jazzy, has been round the block a few times at South. The Classic Dunnes Stores fleece, a fan favourite - good to wear on a aggressive run at goal, or a trip to the Empress

• Maddy – hit that poor Dereham player like a wall of bricks. Ugly and uncomfortable scenes – hands up in the air like a disrespectful child at the prospect of a telling off and card from Matt, but Kim thankfully talked her down with a ‘no that was honestly quite bad Maddy’, and avoided any further disgrace

• Evie - now not a fleece exactly, but only something befitting the leader of Saffron Walden ladies cricket club summer recruitment drive will do. Crisp and clean like Evie’s tackles. Very demure, very mindful on the ball, and suggests experience beyond her years

• Alice – the front runner for L1s travelling team fleece for the 2025-2026 season! It’s an intimidating away day look, and gaining in support day by day. No doubt will help us blend in seamlessly in some of the locations where we love to play on our Div 1travels

• Hannah - Hannah may have an issue with wolves, but does she have an issue with foxes? It gives ski vibes the way she glides up and down the line, a hint of glamour(ous stick skills), and maybe a princess tantrum or 2? Can’t wait for Wisbech Round 2!

• Nichola – Nic needs something that suggests a calm defence and supportive presence, always there for the back-pass, cleaning up our midfield mistakes, and launching line balls to set up our next attack. I wanted earthy, wholesome, something thoughtful, andwoollen

• Mollie – back in time for the last couple of games before Christmas after a break for marathon running, surf camp and the like. A traditional festive jumper – fit for some old-fashioned can attack and can defend and can run around quickly just very good midfield play

• Kerryn – staying with the festive theme, earning us a present of a point, it has to be squad GOALS. Two brilliant goals finishing off our beautiful team attacking play to help us come from behind not once but twice and much Fleece navidad for us and dearTim

• Kim - always old school hockey, can’t teach an old dog new tricks – except we did see a new trick yesterday. A big slip in the last minute of the game, but Kim still managed to lunge and swipe tackle the ball off the player whilst shot down. Something classic, British, suggests some retro skills and ideas (Touch them!) - what could be moreappropriate

• Kate – a birthday this week, another year older, gifted a Cecil and a well-earned point against 2nd in the league to celebrate. With Kate moving into her older and wiser Live Life Love era, I can only assume this kind of thing has starting to look more and more appealing...

• Rebecca - I’m sure Rebecca actually owns this fleece already, and it was with cat like reactions she expertly slapped in our second goal on the tightest of angles to bring us level with Dereham, and hunted down the ball allgame

• Tildy - she’s travelled, she’s exotic, she’s had some gap years. I’m thinking needs to be something bright, loud, and very colourful to suit her exciting play and worldly skills. Something that can take her from Long Road to the hostel, but with a little festive flair

• Anna – this was a hard one to choose, but the winner is unassuming, it’s mysterious, and it’s under-estimated by the opposition. She gives nothing away, especially the ball. Chosen in the colour of our rivals, she blends in with Dereham forwards until the very last minute when she steps in front of them to claim the ball. It’s giving silentassassin

• Loopy – last but not least, Loopy came to our rescue many times once more. Like how Gandalf saved the hobbits in the mines, Loopy stood firm and unyielding in the face of evil, and made a number of crucial saves take a valuable point from the battle!

Stay tuned for the end of season winner