Reports 7th March 2009

Men's 1st XI suffer at the hands of a strong Rutland I side

Men's 2nd XI are narrowly edged out away at St Neots III

Men's 3rd XI enjoy double figures at home to Bourne III

Men's 4th XI winning run ends with a slim defeat at St Ives V

Ladies' 1st XI come from behind to see off Cambridge City III in a close game

Ladies' 2nd XI lose by the odd goal in seven to local rivals Cambridge Nomads II

Cambridge South Men's I 0 - 5 Rutland Men's I

H/T: 0 - 2

Scorers: Multum in parvo
MoM: Jointly: Chris Graveling and Steve Parker

After a blank week due to the Boston no-show, South were faced with a tough rematch against high-scoring Rutland, who had deservedly overcome them 3-1 at Stamford before Christmas. Despite retaining their central defensive core of Chris Graveling, Jim Thorpe and Matt Readman, South were decimated by multiple absences, including that of would-be Pirate of the Caribbean Chris Baker, for whom the promise of a tequila or seven on the beach in St Lucia just outweighed the lure of Coldham's Common on a grey Saturday afternoon.

South in fact started with some attacking brio as skipper Eliot Read snappily fed the returning Lukas Snetler, who seemed to have lost none of his dash or determination during his recent peregrinations. Snetler was just held up in the D, but South came back as Readman eased coolly out of defence and Alex Pooles released Snetler in the middle. The latter put in a great pass to Russell Johnson, who outpaced the defender to give himself what proved to be South’s best scoring opportunity. But Johnson’s hard lifted shot went just wide and Rutland almost immediately exploited space on the right, centring for a man two yards out to hit in unopposed, a modus operandi to which South seem to have been rather vulnerable in the last few weeks.

The visitors soon worked another overlap but Readman's tackle, followed by a long James Cobbe clearance that would have graced a crown green bowls match, averted immediate danger. After another Readman interception, Thorpe and Snetler moved the ball up sensibly, while Johnson worked hard in both defence and attack, sending Read clear and getting Thorpe upfield to the danger area, where the Rutland keeper, largely untested otherwise, was forced to kick out.

Whilst Rutland were adept at using both wings, it was again from the right that a telling cross came after twelve minutes. A failed clearance had the away forwards salivating and the ball was virtually walked in to make it 2-0 with the proverbial mountain looming. But South gained some heart when a short corner awarded after Graveling's brave reverse-stick stop was beaten out by Steve Parker, who then also saved the lifted follow-up. This signalled the first direct action for South's hard-worked keeper, who was involved on a (very) regular basis thereafter, soon sticking away a deflected shot after Snetler had diddled tantalisingly down the right wing.

South held their own well following these early reverses, with Richard Morgan tackling confidently at the rear, Thorpe impressing the judges with a couple of deft reverse interceptions and Read and Snetler continuing to work up something productive in midfield. But it was Rutland who had the most thrust and, despite Readman’s elastic efforts on either side, the South circle came increasingly under threat, with Parker showing having to remain on the qui vive to beat the forwards to the loose ball on more than one occasion. His and an another unseen stick contrived to block out a marauding forward after twenty-five minutes, while the keeper alone dealt commandingly with a fierce shot unleashed from just inside the D a minute later.

Rutland forced in their fifth penalty corner shortly afterwards but it was correctly ruled out, giving South the chance to head for the interval without further damage. That they did so was due in the main to Graveling, who repped it to the max in a series of heroic tackles (think bridge, think Horatio), but honourable mentions should also go to Readman for a sacrificial fall worthy of Swan Lake and to Thorpe for a one-time reverse pass that defied the laws of trigonometry. Snetler, Pooles and Read also stuck to their guns in a more aggressive capacity and Dom Nelson, too, was involved in some promising moves on his league debut. Parker saved another big shot after a central Rutland burst and South were eventually able to retreat and gain some breathing space.

Rutland began the second half with two short corners, both failing, and after Parker had narrowly beaten a visiting forward with a devastating sliding tackle that boomed the ball out beyond the twenty-five, Graveling and Readman persuaded the ball upfield to Pooles, whose good run unravelled just as he breached the circle. The ball again ran annoyingly loose as Johnson's extra pace set Pooles free but Rutland had fewer problems retaining possession, often getting a man on the overlap and repeatedly creating positions from which they could either pass or shoot. One such was cannily judged by Parker, who outfaced a firm direct strike with a left-footed save before Cobbe and Morgan, expertly shielding the ball, shepherded it to the sides. A strike from the top of the D pinged off the bar as Parker advanced to force the aerial route but South, unperturbed, then put together a fine move, originating with Thorpe and making its way to Tim Clapp via Pooles and Readman. Rutland soaked up the pressure, though, and on this occasion, as previously, allowed little meaningful progress to be made beyond the twenty-five.

After fifty minutes, Rutland's penalty corner routine, which was otherwise relatively unimaginative, finally bore fruit when a slip-and-centre move had the South defence trying to move in two different directions at once, allowing a spare man to flick in past an unsighted Parker. Parker then had to spreadeagle himself to try and divert a lone attacker, just buying enough time for the prescient Cobbe to race back and save the day, whilst immediately afterwards a pacy run round the left corner culminated in a flick from a narrow angle which Parker dismissively thumped into touch with his blocker. At this stage, Rutland were consistently hitting their forward targets as South committed themselves up front in an effort to turn the tide, and this eventually led to a four-on-one where Parker picked astutely and made a great first save before the remaining three-on-none engineered the inevitable outcome.

The ninth visiting short corner was blocked by Parker and cleared to touch by Graveling in the Approved Manner™ before Snetler, still chasing like a terrier, set off a fine move through Readman and Read. Cobbe skilfully cushioned an awkward aerial and Clapp, who ran hard throughout with limited service, nearly broke down the left after a nice build-up from Morgan and Snetler. Morgan then found Graveling, who set up Read in the right corner for a cross. The topped result was nearly jugworthy but amends were swiftly made as a crisp centred pass was neatly delivered to the spot, where it unluckily found the foot of Nelson, who had arrived at the perfect time.

Morgan then raced back to disarm a three-on-two, Cobbe made a last-ditch tackle and Read whacked out to Clapp, who relieved the pressure temporarily before Johnson brought off a nonchalant reverse interception. With three minutes to go, Rutland muscled through again, glancing the outside of a post before once more finding a free man at top D to tee up with time to spare. Parker was down quickly to make the save and then recovered adroitly to beat off the follow-up but Rutland benefited from a dubious-looking clash of sticks to make it a Hawaii. The visitors did not get close again but, even then, Parker had something to do as a back pass unexpectedly came his way. This was glided diagonally to safety before the final whistle, and with it the gloaming, came, perhaps none too soon.

Skipper Eliot Read was philosophical in defeat, feeling that South's weakened team had battled hard against superior opposition, who were well-organised to the extent that it often looked as though they were playing with twelve men. South could not be faulted for effort but overcoming the absence of so many players was always going to be a big ask, especially as virtually a whole forward line was missing. In losing, South relinquished fourth place in the table to their opponents but, with only three points separating third from eighth and Spalding in ninth closing the gap, the fat lady has probably still got another set of arias to warble through before the baton makes its final flourish.

Team played: Steve Parker, Chris Graveling, Jim Thorpe, Matt Readman, Rich Morgan, Eliot Read (c), Lukas Snetler, Alex Pooles, Russell Johnson, James Cobbe, Dom Nelson, Tim Clapp

St Neots Men's III 1 - 0 Cambridge South Men's II

H/T: 1 - 0

Scorers:
MoM: Dave Monck - for his magnificent half time rant
LoM: Neil Sneade - for arriving 25 minutes late for the meet on a bus

The flickering embers of Cambridge South 2nds' promotion ambitions were all but extinguished by their fourth reverse of the season, away to a St Neots team who were held by South's 3rds only the previous weekend but who have turned their home turf into something of a fortress this season.

A very late start was rendered even later as a fifteen minute overrun from the previous game meant that the light was fading even as the teams pushed back. Certainly, the darkening gloom seemed to be reflected in South's soporific mode of play, the bite and snap of previous displays noticeably lacking early on. A return ball by right back Neil Sneade to sweeper Dave Monck, telegraphed and slow, that almost let the St Neots attack in for an early attempt at keeper Lino Di Lorenzo's goal, was typical of much of South's opening play.

Clearing the collective fuzz from their heads, South eventually began to move the ball around with a greater sense of urgency and purpose. Better ball retention, particularly in midfield, gave the opportunity for forays into the St Neots twenty-five as Daves Aston and Stock battled down the wings whilst Rob Barton and, especially, Mark Pears up front hared after balls played through into the channels. Rob did manage to get the ball into the goal, only to find that play had already been pulled back for an earlier infringement.

Just as South were looking to get a handle on the game though, things were thrown back into the melting pot by the mid-half substitution and rotations. With their twelfth man being, unusually for South this season, a defender, South deviated from what has been a cardinal rule and changed their defence mid-game. John Benedikz came in at left back for Ron Oren, who moved up into the defensive centre midfield position vacated by Matt Kern as he took captain Kev Rowland’s place in the corresponding attacking position. This apparently straightforward adjustment appeared to throw a collective spanner in South's works though, as a fog of uncertainty and positional confusion descended over the team. Suddenly, passes were going astray again and players were prevaricating on the ball, allowing St Neots to regain their shape and close men down.

With South's momentum dissipated, the match was more open and scrappy with gaps appearing at both ends. On the stroke of half time, South were punished for failing to clear a ball played down their left flank. South had sufficient numbers back but not in the right places and St Neots were allowed to centre the ball past Lino to find their centre forward standing completely alone, two feet from goal, for the easiest tap-in he'll have this season.

The resulting verbal bollocking from an enraged Monckosaurus (you wouldn't like him when he’s angry – some thought they could see him beginning to turn the same green as his shirt) was only interrupted by the half time whistle. After a somewhat more peppy, but equally fulsome, half-time team talk from captain Kev, South came out with more focus and determined to turn the game around.

A much improved second period performance followed. Although still struggling to find their 'A' game, greater commitment and hard work from the Southerners gave them the initiative as they searched for a way back into the match. The disciplined and canny St Neots defence were unmoving, though, and South were finding clear scoring chances few and far between. When South did manage to work themselves into a promising position in their opponent's D, too often the final delivery was lacking or else a pass out to an open player was forsaken for an attempt to play a direct ball through a crowded defence. The umpires were alive to any infringements and the somewhat stop-start pattern of play seemed to inhibit South's attempts to build a rhythm, while a St Neots player eventually saw green for repeated offences.

As the game drew towards its closing stages, South were forced to commit more players forward, with the consequence that Dave M and George Wych at the back found themselves having to be alert to St Neots breaks and the Cat was called on more than once to demonstrate his keeping prowess with some fine kicks and diving clearances.

At full time, a frustrated South were left ruing their failure to break down a stubborn and well organised St Neots side, whilst congratulating their opponents on a disciplined and effective display. Unbeaten league leaders Rutland await next week but, with nothing now at stake in league terms, there is no excuse for South not being brave and bold in their approach to their remaining fixtures.

After the match, captain Kev commented: "That was a bit of a shocker all round really, summed up by my falling over on my arse when tackled by a fourteen year old and exclaiming "Whoopsie!" *

*N.B. Quote used is indicative of general sentiments and may not be a strict reproduction of the captain's actual words.

Team played: Lino Di Lorenzo, George Wych, John Benedikz, Ron Oren, Neil Sneade, Dave Monck, Kevin Rowland (c), Dave Aston, Dave Stock, Matt Kern, Rob Barton, Mark Pears

Cambridge South Men's III 10 - 0 Bourne Men's III

H/T: 3 - 0

Scorers: Greaves (3), Lewis (2), Espley (2), Creed, Tomita, Nelson
MoM: Shahbaz Ali - managed to stay alert for long periods to make three crucial stops...as well as managing to get eleven players on to the pitch against all the odds

A convincing victory over a weakened Bourne team was never in doubt, as Cambridge South worked out that the ball should be kept away from the mature central spine of the Bourne team, thus enabling the home midfield to control the game, and the forward to enjoy a productive afternoon. Andy Lewis grabbed a brace in the first quarter, the first a dazzling solo dribble and shot starting near the half way line, and the second from one of numerous great crosses from right midfield Rupert Espley to Lewis waiting to play a one two off the keeper, netting on the second attempt. The third goal just before half time was one of the best of the day, for the combination at least, as Lewis crossed to Stu Creed to lay the ball off to John Greaves in his customary position two yards from goal, who made no mistake.

Although the warm weather seemed to slow things down, South were soon back into the goals with John Greaves latching onto another Espley move to snatch his second with a firm effort inside the near post. This got the midfield and defence keen to join in the fun and Stu Creed maneouvred around to fire a fine reverse stick shot in for the fifth. Dom Nelson made it six from one of the many well executed short corners, after Creed stopped the ball for him to drag-stop-flick the ball in from the top of the D.

Leo Tomita got the seventh as he found himself with ball at the top of the D to thump an unstoppable effort into goal. At this point Rupert Espley decided that providing teammates with goalscoring opportunities was not as much fun as he thought, so he grabbed a brace of his own, the first from a slick short corner lay off, and his second from a tight angle as others distracted the opposition in the D.

John Greaves completed the scoring near the end, taking a Dom Nelson pass at the top of the D before calmly thwacking the ball inside the post for his hatrick and South's tenth.

This was by some distance the 3rds biggest win of the season, against a team who had beaten them earlier. New man Mike Coffin played well in the "James Pope" position in front of the back three. He mopped up anything loose and distributed the ball very well to set up attacks. Everyone played their part in maintaining discipline and positions, passing and moving, and keeping the defence tight. Well played one and all!

Team played: Shabhaz Ali, Leo Tomita, Ian Glover, Stu Creed, Mike Coffin, Dom Nelson, Rupert Espley, Shahzad Ali, John Somerville, Tim Dean, Andy Lewis, John Greaves (c)

Cambridge South Men's IV 1 - 2 St Ives Men's V

H/T: 1 - 2

Scorers: Rob Barton
MoM: Shyam for bravely going in goal and did a decent job of it
LoM: James H for the wonderful short corner routine as mentioned below

An unusual match due to a number of reasons:

1. South only made eleven with Shyam bringing along his brother in law Shriram. So the team as it stood had three players who had hardly played before and Shyam bravely went in goal.

2. Both teams turned up with green shirts and bibs were hastily found and

3. The umpires started the match with CSHC not having eleven players on the field and especially no goal keeper. However, as they say in the Winslow Boy, "right was done".

Never before, did a match start with such chaos where the team barely knew one another's name and for the guys who played with us for the first time, they must have thought this is how it is done each week.

St Ives scored the first goal before Shyam came onto the pitch. St Ives continued to have the upper hand and scored again from another short corner and went 2-0 up.

South however started coming back into it and Rob Barton managed to put away a short corner of our own and made it 2-1. The remainder of the half was pretty even with Hodgy and Jelley working tirelessly to get our share of the midfield.

The team finally had a shout of names at half time. The highlight of the second half was when South had a short corner five minutes from the end, with high expectation shouts of "Make this count" and "Let's get something out of this game". The corner was pushed out (read flicked) in the air.... miles away from the receiver, this completely deceived the St Ives defence and not least South's attacking players and fell a safe distance away from the D. At the end of the match, this was explained away as a new short-corner routine that was still work-in-progress. The second half was an even affair, but neither side scored even though both sides had chances.

Team played: James Raikes, James Hodge, Simon Jelley, John Benedikz, Shyam Sadasivan, Manish Verma, Ky Ho, David Bridge, Tejas Belagod, Rob Barton, Shriram Sadasivan

Cambridge City Ladies' III 1 - 2 Cambridge South Ladies' I

H/T: 1 - 0

Scorers: Caroline Dent, Tash Cox
MoM:

Awaiting report

Team played: Tash Cox, Liles Dee, Cassie Woodfin, Ellie Raffan, Julie Sadler, Becca Graveling, Georgie Hurford, Caroline Dent, Nicky Bareham, Alice Wall, Claire Sherwood

Cambridge South Ladies' II 3 - 4 Cambridge Nomads Ladies' II

H/T: 2 - 2

Scorers: Mel Harrison (3)
MoM: