The Ladies 2nds assembled at the University astro, Wilberforce Road, for a 10.30am push-back. It was a bright sunny day with a brisk breeze. All were keen to get running around to warm up. The line-up included three new faces: Hannah (substitute goalkeeper), Liz from the Netherlands playing LB, Caoimhe from Ireland playing centre midfield. In the pre-match huddle names were repeated twice for familiarisation.

For the first quarter the two teams were well-matched, play remaining in the midfield with some well-structured interceptions and passes by the South players. St Ives seemed slightly surprised that this match wasn't going to be a walkover. Both sides broke at times with attacking play into the opposition D but efforts were not rewarded with any goals, although mistakes by the South defence gave St Ives a handful of short corners, upping the psychological advantage for the visitors. Hard shots on the goal were repelled, one even knocking the stick out of Pip's hand. South made some fast play up the midfield but oblique shots across the goal were not intercepted. What, no goal-hanger?

Fortunes changed with a technically excellent, clear shot on South's goalmouth by St Ives. There was no disputing this: the ball hit the backboard like an ear-shattering rifle-shot. South's spirits remained high – it was only one goal after all - and the game still felt very even however, St Ives made another strong shot on goal which gave Hannah little time to react. South managed to gain a goal in the second quarter: a scuffle in the D allowed Carla to put the ball past the St Ives keeper. South were ecstatic with this hard-won reward! Unfortunately this was soon followed by another successful shot on goal by St Ives.

In the second half, South put up a fair fight but St Ives increased their control of the game, although South still put in some good breaks of play, much to St Ives's frustration. Their fourth goal was followed by an unfortunate piece of defence by Carla whose foot on the goal-line lead to a penalty flick being awarded to St Ives. Baptism by fire! Pauline (St Ives) took the shot. Hannah managed to get a stick to it but the ball still made its way into the net. There seemed no stopping St Ives now.

At 5–1, South's resolve was starting to sag. In the last few minutes of the game, slow reactions by Pip allowed the St Ives captain, Pauline, the opportunity to intercept a pass across the D. Holding the penalty spot, Pauline made a classic strike on goal, bringing the final score to 1-6. There's no beating experience!

The St Ives team felt that this was a harsh result, not deserved, but all were relieved that the only injury was an astro burn to Carla's knee.