Ladies 2s are Halloween winners on and off the field!

“I just arrived – where are you I’m all alone?” texted Jules from the pitch 20 minutes after the changing room meet time. “Running a little bit late I’m afraid, shocker I know!” both Naerg’s informed us. The Ladies 2s had the strange experience of playing at home this week. That coupled with the excitement of that evening’s Halloween social, sent everyone a little bit barmy. We welcomed Emma Naeger, Jess and Gill into the team from the 1s. It was cracking weather for hockey and, having watched the men’s 3s send Addiscombe home with a 10-0 thrashing, we got it together to meet a rather casual Surbiton on the field.

Cheam came out fighting in the first half, putting Surbiton under immediate pressure. The back line quickly got organised with Gill and Jules stopping any Surbiton chances down the wing with immediate effect. Cheam dominated possession for the first 5-10 minutes, and our efforts paid off; Katie Naerger found her form in the middle of the pitch and took a cool, calm, collected shot passed the keeper – she DID A GOAL!!!!! Cheam continued to work hard and create some excellent chances, with Meg and Holly passing the ball around the Surbiton defence. There were some hectic moments in this half; Toni fell over around the half way line for no apparent reason. Gill took several attempts to crack the ball down the left wing out of danger and, after the third swing-and-a-miss just screamed at the ball instead. And immediately following a Cheam short corner, Maloney completely forgot that she was playing left back and got caught somewhere in the right-forward territory of the pitch on the Surbiton break, with an unmarked player on the top of the D gifted the ball and requiring Doak’s keeping skilllllzzzzz. Doak employed these at a few points during the game, keeping Cheam firmly in the game - there were also some incredible chances, Jess stepped up to take a cracking straight strike at goal for the short that the Surbiton keeper did very well to keep out, especially as she had earlier been hacked at repeatedly by several Cheam hockey sticks, while logging on the ground, with the ball stuck underneath her. At some stage in and amongst the chaos Surbiton scored a boring goal.

Following a team talk from Shaun, who reminded us that we were the better team that needed to get STRONG on the ball, Cheam Ladies 2s unleashed the Beast. The work rate from E. Naeger, Jess, Meg and Louise was amazing. Steph roved around at the top of the Surbiton D for some time, creating some really great pressure. We out paced and out skilled the oppo and everyone had an incredible game. Early passes and transfers around the back were utilised to great effect and Meg persevered to slot a scrappy goal passed the keeper. Jess did her bit to bring widen the gap scoring the third goal and, despite scoring mid way through the second half, Surbiton were held at bay for the Win – I am incredibly proud of every single performance.

A thoroughly successful day on the field followed by an excellent social and the Ladies 2s spooky raggedy dolls securing Best Team Fancy Dress award with aplomb. Thanks to Doak for plugging away with the make up for a solid hour – and could everyone please forward their massive bloomers to Nat Milsom, as they will come in handy in the coming months!

Man of the March went to Holly for superb skill and creating many of the Cheam opportunities. And we saw a Ladies 2s first as a unanimous decision meant we didn’t even bother voting for Doak of the Day – Maloney was required to don the Frankenstein mask.
Huge thanks to Richard Coleman for umpiring, you are our lucky charm can you do every week?