After a run of disappointing results, a good performance was crucially important for the promotion chances of Cambridge South 3rds, sponsored by PwC.

Cambridge South needed to re-jig after a couple of late pull-outs due to illness. Long Sutton started brightly, playing with verve and some fantastically incisive passing. It was clear that some disciplined hockey was needed for South to have a chance of getting past this side.

Long Sutton took the lead early on with a good finish after some sharp interplay. South responded with an assured finish from Russell Johnson after good approach work by Simon Ta. South then produced some excellent hockey to take the lead. A strong ball into the D and a neat deflection by Rupert Espley allowed Andy Lewis to sweep home in true ‘notveryfarfromthegoallineJohnGreavesfashion!’.

Long Sutton as expected, exerted real pressure to try and level the score with some very skilful passing. It didn’t work. South’s defence was resolute, James Lee having perhaps his best game to date, breaking up play and distributing the ball superbly. The welcome return of Matt Bailey brought some steel to the defensive group and Leo Tomita, answering an eleventh hour call, was simply superb. Ian Evans again had a great game, snuffing out LS attacks and using the ball intelligently. Any lingering hopes of getting something from the game were smashed by Steve Parker’s commanding display in goal.

The next goal was South’s. Great interplay between the highly effective Espley and the irrepressible Pope fed the ball to Johnson who struck a fierce shot at goal and Simon Ta was there to bundle the ball home in quite the most awkward manner: time stood still as it finally crossed the goal line.

This was an essential win for the Thirds, who have come up against some tough opposition lately and nicely sets up the promotion decider next week!