It was a great day for hockey at the Abbey on Saturday, with the sun shining and both teams wanting to get off to a good start and win the first game of the season.

In the first half both teams seemed equally matched. Cassie Woodfin, the South goalkeeper, produced an excellent save off the line to prevent Ladies from scoring. South started with plenty of energy and fight for the game and managed some great long range passing skills. Unfortunately, Cambridge Ladies got the first goal of the half, but undeterred South continued to battle.

Rebecca Lumb produced some fine tackles in defence throughout the game and on one occasion passed the ball to Tash Cox, who slipped the ball through to Emma Clarke, who managed to thread an excellent weighted pass through to Gemma Thomas, who had beaten all defenders and sent the ball flying into the goal. Cambridge South were back level.

After half time. Cambridge South came out strong and feeling confident they could win this game. Both teams had many penalty corners in the second half, and many close chances on goal. In one particular corner, Emma hit the ball out to Gemma waiting at the top of the D, who drilled the ball back into the crowded goal where Emma Clarke again found it and managed to hook it back and chip it into the goal. South were now in the lead.

As the game went on, Ladies battled on, trying for their equalizer, but to no avail for South's defenders Ruth and Rachel (captain) were on form and made any necessary challenges clearing South's area. Rosie Dias made some excellent runs up the right connecting well with centre forward Tash Cox. As the final whistle blew Cambridge South felt elated, as all their hard work had paid off, with an excellent performance from the whole team.