Those that took part on Saturday's match will have mixed feelings. It was a match that perhaps we should have won, but it was one that could easily have been lost.

Early exchanges were fairly equal between the teams, though Lino Di Lorenzo was rarely threatened in goal thanks to a solid defence from Ian Evans, Phil Le Gouais and Steve Morrell. As the first half progressed South managed to string together some more probing attacks. David Bridge (our erstwhile captain in the absence of Rodney and Andy Pounce) was linking up well with Wilco Dijkstra down the left hand side, while Chris Clegg and Andy Kennedy were providing good ball to Sam Carr through the centre who used his pace well playing for the first time at centre forward.

The real break through, however, came when a St Ives player had to leave the field due to a close encounter with a hockey ball and a forehead (everyone on the pitch felt the pain on impact!) A brief period with an extra man led to South putting a lot of pressure on the St Ives goal. The goal itself came from a free hit just outside the area. Wilco's carefully timed sweeping hit placed the ball comfortably in the back of the goal. Shortly after it was very nearly two.

Tim Gass took the ball to line and managed to flick it back to Sam Carr's stick. Sam only failed to find the back of the net due to a jumbled mess with a defender and the St Ives keeper. The chaos led to South being awarded a penalty flick and Will Marston bravely stepped up to do the honours. There was nothing much wrong with the flick, but unfortunately the keeper managed to get himself in the way of the ball and the goal.

Undeterred, South continued to attack well and we were aided in our quest by the fresh legs of George Bucknall coming on at centre forward.

The second half saw both sides putting together some good passing manoeuvres and South's defence were put under more pressure, enduring several short corners. Lino had to come well out of his area to make a good save fairly early on. On our side Will Marston and Chris Clegg were beginning to show some classy stick skills which led to pressure at the opposite end. One of the defences had to give out eventually and unfortunately it was South's - a scrappy goal that went in off the heel of Lino (not that he could do much about it!).

With the scores at one piece the match opened up even more - Tim Gass and Sam Carr were linking up on the right hand side, but so were St Ives. South fans must have had their eyes closed as a last minute short corner was awarded to St Ives. The St Ives striker was allowed three attempts at striking the ball, but fortunately he hit air on the first two occasions and then sent the third attempt wide.

There was barely time to draw breath before South were awarded a short corner at the other end. The whistle signalled the end of the match so we knew it was now or never. All of the team, save the keeper, lined up around the area and a fairy tale ending nearly ensued as Chris Clegg sent a shot past the goal keeper. Unfortunately it was cleared off the line by a defender's reverse stick onto a Cambridge foot. Overall it was South who had the best chances, but for a few agonising seconds it could have been St Ives that won.