We arrived in Tower Hamlets in good time, high spirits and considered ourselves as underdogs with just 11 players facing a squad of 14 around half our average age! That’s pretty much how the first half panned out. A constant flow of quick young talent cutting through our core with speed and agility which we just couldn’t match. Some fantastic work from our young wing backs Calen and Alex lead to a short corner opportunity which Pete Borrie duly dispatched after some crisp movement around the D. 4-1 down at half time. Age brings experience and that coupled with international representation both on and off the pitch, allowed us to pin-point changes and stifle Tower Hamlets. We could sense signs of tension and weakness in our opposition ripe for exploitation if we could just step up to the challenge.

Well that’s exactly what we did with our best half of hockey so far this season. We got on the front foot, sent our youngsters raiding down both flanks, created several opportunities and Pete Borrie scored a second. Tower Hamlets were stunned as we continued to press and when Clarky smashed in another short corner Tower Hamlets faced a very uncomfortable final ten minutes. In the end, the deficit was just beyond us but our commitment and output made it feel like a win and will certainly stand us in good stead for the battles to come. Rob Hucker deserves a special mention for dropping seamlessly into right back in his first 4th XI appearance regularly springing our charge down the right. Upminster next week and we will be ready for them.

Goals - Borrie 2, Clark
Man of the Match - Rich Boutcher