Large tops, laces and 40mph winds 

The gale force winds and heavy rain Saturday morning was enough to make most of the team wonder if the match would be postponed. However, not all of the team were dissuaded by the weather with Libby letting the team know that she was dressed and ready at 9:34am for our 12:30 pushback. Also we were then informed that Mo had eaten her overnight oats so we couldn’t cancel the match. With morning routines complete we arrive at St Ives - our car, being a bit late, hurried to the changing room to meet the team. What we were welcomed by was what can only be described as an assault on the senses. Luisa had brought the men’s away tops. Not only were they drowning the girls, in what looked like a fashion choice to wear dresses, but it seems the last men’s team neglected to wash the tops. 

We started the match with high energy playing some lovely hockey. The mids Erin, Libby, Rachel and Indi making runs and passes to get the ball up to Steph, Mo and Em. We had a couple of chances and managed to get a short with in the first couple of minutes. Sadly St Ives had a couple of breaks and got past our wall of the defence and also score on a play after a short. 

The defence line of Luisa, Louisa W, Louisa P (the holy trinity) and Annabel (equally loved and adored) held on deflecting and defending from every angle. A big mention to Selene for being the goal saving Qween while also dealing with her own battle with the goal that simple did not want to stay still and kept flying backwards. 

Half time = sweet time. Tangfastics and squashies (orange and pink. Tasty). 

The restart came with high intensity, with the team battling against St Ives and the wind. Jess in the screen position was putting an epic battle constantly making great tackles and fending off charging runs earning her a well deserved POM. Then came the fatal moment that deserved the LOM. I was a helpless victim of my well tied laces being hooked by a players stick. The player then proceeded to keep pulling her stick thinking it was hooked to my stick to only then drag my leg behind her across the pitch. Lucky the umpire, who once he stopped laughing, blew the whistle to stop the lady’s charge and allowed me to untie my incredibly tight shoe and carry on. The match ended with a 5-0 loss but as always it was #goodvibesonly and a big push for the team. Overall the result didn’t reflect how well we have played with the team growing stronger each match. We have definitely got a good thing started and I can’t wait to see what we can do next half of the season! Merry Christmas!