If there’s one thing Ted Lasso would tell you about Cambridge South Hockey Club right now, it’s this: “It’s not about the wins and losses. It’s about believing you deserve to be here.”

And boy, do these lads deserve it.
This weekend marked another chapter in Cambridge South’s historic debut season in the East Open – Men’s Premier Division — the highest level the club has ever reached. It hasn’t been the smoothest start (six tough games, six tough lessons), but as Ted would say, “Taking on the big dogs means you’re in the right yard.”

Last week saw South write another line in the club’s storybook — their first-ever clash with Cambridge City 1s, proof of how far this team has climbed. And this Saturday, away at Bishop’s Stortford, came another milestone: their first point in the Premier Division. A 2–2 draw that felt, in spirit, like a win — or at least the start of one.

*The Match*
The opening 10 minutes? Well, let’s call them the ‘finding-our-feet’ phase. South looked a bit like they’d never held a stick before, struggling to string passes together as Stortford pressed early. But, as true believers do, the boys found their rhythm, started talking, moving, and — most importantly — trusting each other.
By halftime, the score sat at 0-0, the energy rising, belief building.

The second half brought more positive hockey from South. Crisp passing, sharp movement, and one beautiful team goal that saw them take the lead — and a big collective sigh of “we’ve got this” rippled across the pitch.

But hockey, much like life (and Lasso’s coaching philosophy), loves to test your faith. Stortford fought back, and after a few questionable decisions — which saw Will and Lindars both earn themselves green cards (naughty, naughty, gentlemen) — South were pegged back to 2–2.

*The Takeaway*
The scoreboard might say “draw”, but the story says “progress”. This was a performance full of heart, hustle, and hope — proof that South belong at this level.
Sure, the results haven’t reflected the quality of play so far. But as Ted Lasso would remind them, “You know what the happiest animal in the world is? A goldfish. You know why? Got a 10-second memory.”
Time to be goldfish, lads. Shake it off, smile, and believe — because that first win isn’t far away.