SONNING 3 - 1 GERRARDS CROSS
13th October 2007

The first twenty minutes of this game were a frenzied contest with neither team getting any real breaks. Then Gerrards Cross took a strike from the right side of the D, which took a massive deflection from a defenders stick and flew into the top of the Sonning goal. As in previous weeks, the first goal by our opponents kick started an extra Sonning effort. Almost immediately from the restart, we pulled the score back to 1 - 1: with two Gerrards Cross players on her, Lucy turned in the D and hit the ball into the far corner. Then, just before half time, we scored another goal - some great passing from defence and a spectacular finish from Airs, who struck the ball into the far left hand side of the goal. Gerrards Cross fought back and were awarded a short corner as the whistle for time went. The defence worked hard and managed to clear the ball away and we went in at half time 2 - 1 in the lead.

The second half started well for Sonning with lots of possession and a number of attempts on goal. Then after about 15 minutes, Mei Jones intercepted an opposition short corner and drove her way down the full length of the pitch. As she approached the opposition's D, she drew a defender and passed the ball to Lucy who scored her second, and Sonning's third, goal.

Our opposition didn't give up and continued to drive forward but the defensive trio of Caroline, Mei and Sally soaked up the pressure and fed the ball forward for wave after wave of counter attacks. Despite the pressure applied by Sonning, the Gerrards Cross defence stood strong.

The final minutes of the game became a tense, defensive exercise as our opposition were awarded a succession of short corners. It was reminiscent of the end of the first half as yet again, the whistle for time went and Sonning had to clear their lines. The defence worked extremely hard and remained impenetrable and as the final whistle went the match ended as a 3- 1 win to Sonning.

This was a hard-fought game played in a great spirit, with both teams playing some excellent hockey at times.

Team: Rose Scales; Mei Jones; Caroline Smith; Beth Savory; Sue Patterson; Claire McKewan; Gemma Holmes; Briony Phillips; Sally Tunnicliffe, Marie; Airs; Lucy Hansford.

Player of the match: Marie and Airs

Muff of the Day: A couple of nominations this week but a clear winner. One nomination was for Rose falling over, taking Gemma with her in the process, as the team lined up for a photograph following the game. But as this was as a result of a shove in the back from a 'team mate' it was quickly discounted. So, after nearly winning the award last week for falling over (there seems to be a theme here with the Ladies 2's), Marie was awarded it this week for ... falling over! Bring on the chocolate Marie!