The drought is over!!!! Saturday November 15th and the Ladies 2nds were victorious versus March 2nds. Not only did we win, but we also played some very nice hockey…really coming together as a team, keeping our formation and supporting one another.

From early on in the game South put a lot of pressure on March with slick passing and tight marking. All players had improved their basic hockey skills and on pitch confidence, so thanks go to Chris Graveling for his coaching expertise on Tuesday! We were fortunate to have Vicky on the sideline as our very own team coach/manager. Also, thank you to everyone who came along to support us…we all appreciated your constant shouting and help from the sideline!

Sarah M continued to make some awesome saves in goal but with South having a lot more of the play in this game she was under a little less pressure than in previous matches! Hayley had her first match with us post-injury, taking control of the back and having a cracking game as sweeper…no-one was going to get past her! Loopy, at centre back, as always showed her fighting determination to put a stop to a lot of March's attacking attempts and get the ball back into the mid-field. With Kristy now moved back into defence (RB) she was able to show off her true hockey ability and made some great tackles and effective channelling.

There had been some gutsy defensive play on the left from Sarah A until she ended up with a stick in her face after half-time…fortunately no fracture but we hope you’re ok Sarah and that those lab goggles can still be worn! Louise G battled again at left back, clearing the ball away back to South players. There was good use of the space that we had, with players moving the ball forward via the midfielders.

Jodee…Jodee Jodee Jodee….her last match with Cambridge South at left midfield before moving New Zealand way and she was very deservedly voted MoM. A deflection from the keeper following a strike from Carla was then superbly swept into the goal by Mrs Webb, making us 1-0 up at half time. Jodee, you’ll be missed a LOT…for your hockey skills and also general loveliness.

Carla had another brilliant game at centre midfield with endless energy, tackles and inter-linking play. Ley was a good linking player between the defence and forwards. She controlled the ball well, making some cracking passes into the D and using the wing well. Ros played well as right midfield, keeping the play wide and making good passes down the line.

Charlie played supportively as the attacking midfielder, reading the ball well and by switching between the left and right she was always in the correct place to receive the ball and pass it smoothly onwards. Bex made some excellent runs on the left, crossing the ball accurately into the D. She continuously battled for the ball to keep it up front, putting more pressure on the March defence. Mel also had some great runs down the right side, dribbling the ball past a slightly slower March player!

The second goal was the result of some rather beautiful team work…passed in the D from Charlie to Ros and then to Mel, who (intentionally) lifted the ball into the top right-hand corner of the net…TWO NIL!!

Now, this may come across as an overly complimentary (and long) match report but we're aware there's still plenty of room for improvement…making sure we all stick to our players "like glue"; continue to keep our positions on the pitch; keeping the pressure up and not sitting back at all; improving our fitness; and having someone on the post!!! But let's hope this is a turning point for the second half of the season.