Why is it that the journey up to Ely - which is just 15 mins on the train and not much longer by bike* - takes so long in the car? It feels like you are ageing as you trundle up towards the ancient cathedral. The speed of the journey up is matched only by the pace of the pitch, which is like playing hockey on treacle**.

Nonetheless, after an inauspicious lack of availability, mid-week, an excellent blend of youth and experience - modelled by the two Bartons at opposite ends of their hockey careers - braved the pilgrimage up to Ely. And Dan Talmage - selfless team man as ever - volunteered to don the keepers kit for the second week in a row.

Coming off the back of two strong results in our first two fixtures of the season, hopes were high. Especially as Captain Barton urged the opposition to go easy on us as we are a development team. Said friendliness not entirely in evidence as two players - who shall go nameless - were summoned by the ref for a stern talking-to mid first half. The match soon settled back into the right spirit.

Anyway, it was a good game which may or may not have reflected the 3-0 score line at the end. Dan T repelled more than his fair share of goalbound efforts. The youth - not least Dexter and Etienne - put the wind up the opposition with their pace, skill and tenacity on the ball. And The Rock at the back was indeed the boulder on which many Ely attacks foundered.

Sadly, not quite enough Ely attacks foundered and, even though we did make the occasional foray into the Ely D, it was all to no avail - we couldn't find the back of the net (or board or whatever you do in hockey).

So 3-0 it was. Undeterred, Nuwan and Etienne were adamant we'll have them in a return fixture when playing on a more mobile pitch. And Rob told me to say that we played well against a decent side. So there you have it.

Onwards to Peterborough at home next weekend when this blip will be forgotten and the M6s successful run - second only to England rugby's red roses - will get back on track.

* If you're Tadej Pogacar

**(This could just be my antediluvian limbs...)