Cheam Ladies 1s and 2s go head to head in 6all shocker

It's that time of year again! Time we dusted off our hockey sticks, aired out the stick bag and dig the old gum guard out of the bottom of the drawer. PRE SEASON HOCKEY IS HERE

Last night the Ladies 1s and 2s went head to head, with some up and coming youngsters and Back to Hockey babes in the mix. Caz turned up to the pitch first, demonstrating that the first and fundamental quality of a "veteran" is punctuality. The rest arrived in dribs and drabs and, following a Club Warm Up, we were good to go!

The 1s hit the ground running and we soon realised that, although the hockey sticks had been dusted down, they were pretty rusty. Queue three goals against in quick succession. Prothero, Jenny and Annie making it extremely difficult for the defence to secure their back line. They soon got it together, however, and considering the back 4 had never played together as a defensive unit - with a new recruit in Jules, Emma Laws doing a superb job having come through from the lower section, Caz post huge baby and Maloney spending a summer sojourn up front - they pulled it together for the rest of the game with tighter marking and more communication.

Our mids and forwards found it tricky at first to battle through the 1s defense. It became clear that Gill is still as much as a force field as ever despite becoming a Grandmother over the summer (congratulations!) By the end of the first 3rd, with goals from Holly and Marshy, we managed to pull it back to 3-2

The second third went by in a bit of a blur if I'm honest. Charlie's team talk meant that some of us became more argy-bargy on the ball. It's fair to say that this 3rd was leaps and bounds better than the first, with the team pulling together to give Marshy more support in the middle. Most memorable goals were Jenny's smash from the top D for the 1s - spectacular - and Marshy's tap in from down to the back line and to the goal on her own - not sure how many you wobbled past mate I lost count! Meg and Jacko created some awesome chances from the wings and we scored a couple on the break. 5-3

The final 3rd was awesome. Both teams stepped into the ebb and flow of the game and we saw some really, really good hockey. Meg and Jules both saved a couple off the line and Caz had a little stint up towards the opp's D to create lots of chances. Not even Gill screaming like a warrior while trying to tackle Holly could stop us bringing the scoreline to an exciting 6 all draw - this time last year H would have been scared, but a tough season has toughened up our juniors!

A final thought for the 1s - with how I feel this morning, I'm pleased we're on the same team! That was hard work, great hockey all round!

Thanks to Doug and Lucy (still injured - that's a fine) for umpiring and Charlie and Shaun for coaching from the sidelines and for your comments afterwards. BRING ON THE 2015/16 SEASON!!!!

THE TEAM:
Jules - RB
Caz - CB
Maloney - CB
Emma Law - LB
Meg - RM
Marshy - CM
Jacko - LM
Kirsty - RF
Holly - LF