In a tight defensive battle where there were few clear-cut chances, South maintained their focus to the end and were rewarded by a late goal from Keith Hewitt, who gleefully banged the ball home after an electric surge round the left from skipper Rob Garrett had finally carved out the opportunity that South, slightly the more fluent in their attacking build-up, had probably deserved.

Chris Graveling had earlier had a slipped flick shot from one of South's three penalty corners well stopped, while Steve Parker came up with the goods when stonewalling a free attacker in his only glimpse of action. But this was in truth a good, solid all-round performance against one of South's closest rivals, who were equally determined in all areas of the pitch. Special mentions to birthday boy Chris Baker, composed on the right and belying all of his 32 years, Lukas Snetler, Eliot Read and Al Sinclair, who all tackled fearsomely and showed great two-way skills and stomach for the fight..