The well organised Pelicans showed Cambridge South how to play calm controlled hockey as a team, and it was only the renowned competitive spirit of the 3rds and the heroics of the defence, in particular MoM Ian Glover, that restricted the half time score to 1 - 0. The late arrival of the entire South forward line didnt help much either.

Pelicans scored two good goals shortly after half time to make the game safe, although one of the goals was an unlucky (if well taken) own goal. Pelicans had most of the pressure, through the simple approach of evading markers, and thus getting players into space with time to place the ball at will.

South didnt give up, with newcomer Toby Bull and Andy Lewis causing frequent trouble, but the away team were unable to get enough shots on target as a result. The consolation came from the old Greaves-Lewis short corner routine, with Andy Lewis unleashing a corker in to the net, to make the score 3-1.

A very slow pitch and the style of the oppostion forced South to pass more than usual, and when we did it paid dividends with many good moves.

This game was of course carefully played to lull the awaiting 2nds into a false sense of complacency. Or at least that's our story.