Old Southendian Ladies Threes 1 - 4 Basildon Twos
Goals: Suzie
PoM: Laura
What do you call a Team that finds itself in a different boat, gets caught in the opposition’s wake but keeps pulling together until the final whistle?
Answer: The Ladies Threes 10/10/2026
Sometimes, events beyond our control conspire against us and there’s not much we can do other than our best. Star signs misalign, socks end up on the wrong feet, teams are rejigged at the last minute and suddenly we’re rowing in a rather different boat from the one we set out in.
The pre-match team talk was all about rowing together: finding our rhythm, trusting the person alongside us and remembering that it’s not about who has the strongest oars, but who keeps pulling when their arms are burning.
Unfortunately, Basildon had clearly been rowing together for some time. An experienced side with slick movement and neat one-twos, they caught us out early and we found ourselves two goals down before we’d properly got our oars in the water.
But the Threes are not a crew to abandon ship at the first sign of rough water.
We found our rhythm, linked together beautifully and began to take the fight to the opposition. The team pushed forward, dominated their half and created some excellent chances. Our persistence finally paid off when Suzie slotted the ball home, giving us a well-deserved goal and a reminder of what we could achieve when everyone pulled in the same direction.
Basildon, however, had an immediate response. A beautifully executed penalty corner resulted in their third goal — one of those moments when all you can do is admire the skill, even if you’d much rather they hadn’t demonstrated it quite so successfully against you.
The second half brought some excellent periods of hockey. The Threes worked hard, communicated well and pulled together to hold back the tide of Basildon attacks. There was determination, organisation and plenty of evidence that, despite our reshuffled line-up, we could compete and create opportunities.
We were unlucky to concede a fourth in the final minute, which rather felt like the opposition sneaking one last stroke in just as we were heading for the shore.
The final score didn’t tell the whole story. There were moments of excellent team play, a well-earned goal and plenty of commitment from everyone who pulled on a shirt.
A special mention goes to Laura, our Player of the Match, whose outstanding work in marshalling the team and directing play so positively helped keep our crew organised through some choppy waters.
We may not have reached the finish line in front today, but we adapted, supported one another and kept rowing right to the end.
No passengers. No throwing in our oars. And certainly no rowing in different directions.
Because when the boat changes, the only thing to do is keep pulling together.
Same team spirit. Different crew. Still rowing.
Onwards to next week!