South arrived with optimism but also a few concerns, several players nursing injuries and the squad showing signs of age. To make matters trickier, the previous match overran, leaving little time for a proper warm-up.

The game began with University of Cambridge striking first. A well-executed drag flick from a penalty corner put them ahead early. This pushed the momentum in University of Cambridge’s favour and with some slick passing and sharp dribbling, and an unusually sluggish Stan, they netted 4 goals in quick succession to seize control of the match. South tried to fight back, but with a couple of Jacko’s runs on goal cut short by a lack of advantage, only Willow managed to send one home to put South on the scoreboard. 

South didn’t give up; a key tactics talk from Sam “Tis but a flesh wound” Highfield at half-time proved timely. The second half told a different story: a tight, competitive battle ending 1-0 in South’s favour for that period. A key moment being Willow’s dramatic body-slam finish into the goalmouth that had the crowd worried for a head injury, and Tim crying goal thief. However, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit, but it proved the team doesn’t give up.

As the final whistle blew, the scoreboard read a loss for South, but the day was far from finished, Questions lingered: Did Teddie finally win the argument with his gumshield? And has Willow’s fangirling forged an unlikely friendship with the umpire?

One thing is certain, if the second-half spirit is any indication, small margins are determining the results of these games, and it won’t take much for South to come out victorious in the future.