“It is possible to commit no mistakes and still lose. That is not a weakness. That is life.” - Jean-Luc Picard.

Once more the 2s crossed the Hertfordshire border to play hockey. Once more with a bare 11. Once more we gave our best against a well-drilled team.

When sitting down to write this report I thought to myself, did Jacket go apeshit at anyone? The answer, no. Not as far as I remember. And that is sometimes quite a glowing review on the boys that did their best, some of whom could easily have taken the easier option of playing closer to home against Rochford.

The whole game was a high-intensity affair, feeling a lot like a basketball fixture at times. The Old Boys went 3-0 down to goals that were all well-worked to be fair, if only Jesus could close his legs...

The main goal-scoring opportunities for the boys came in the form of short corners, with Toby Jordan busy being schooled by paintball try-hards, Connor Jury decided that flicking was in his arsenal. To the surprise of everyone present, the goalkeeper diverted the off-target effort into his own goal. 3-1. We Will Score.

The first 20 mins of the second half, the old boys showed some potent attacking hockey, with a couple of half-chances, whilst also displaying resolute defensive work, restricting the Blue Man Group to less than half-chances. Unfortunately, for the remaining 15 mins, a fog befitting of Halloween descended onto the pitch (follow Alan Lindsay for photo evidence). And as debutant Liam Nugent described, when the ball got transferred across Blueharts' defence, but it was the noise of ball control from their LB that confirmed it, not the far safer visual confirmation that we all rely on. With this visual challenge that Blueharts seemed far more comfortable with, 3 goals went into the Old Boys goal. Undeserved in this author's opinion. Calen had a chance to add another with 5 mins to go, but their goalkeeper was still alert to the danger. Shame.

6-1 final score.

Next week, back at home, against familiar opposition for the first time in a long while. "There are four lights!"