5s carry on their great form

Coming into the game full of confidence off the back of a strong opening day win away from home, Sonning 5s returned to Sonning Lane to take on a Bracknell Terriors side kicking off their season a week late due to a postponement of their opening fixture.

The supporters were out in force to watch the 5s attempt to go top of the table early on in the season, and the 5s did not disappoint.

The opening exchanges were played with caution, with Sonning pinging the ball around nicely and using the full size of the pitch to good effect. A youthful Bracknell side showed they were more than capable of driving forwards with numbers, but it was a composed Sonning defence who showed their dominance and no-nonsense style early on. As the teams sized each other up, Sonning began to exert a strong level of pressure best comparable to the Australian onslaught that came for our poor national rugby team the previous week. It seemed only a matter of time before Sonning opened the scoring.

A succession of short corners soon led to the opening goal for Sonning. There was jubilation and relief amoungst the fans. Surely the floodgates were now open... As proved to be the case as a second Sonning goal swiftly followed (may have been very cheekily poached but it's a team sport and it's the team that matters... Right?!)

The half time whistle blew and Sonning gathered in the goal after what was overheard to be described as "the best 35 minutes the 5s have ever played". The goalkeeper hadn't even touched the ball in the first half and it was inconceivable to think that Sonning would let the lead slip. The 5s however, have been drilled through preseason to keep a level head at all times, knowing not to become complacent and they were motivated to keep the tempo as high as it was in the first half to ensure they scored the vitally important next goal.

The second half began shakily to say the least, with a schoolboy mistake in the middle of the park leading to an early Bracknell short corner. This was not part of the plan. The defence held firm on this rare time of asking, and the control that Sonning had displayed in the first half soon resumed. A 3rd, 4th and 5th goal arrived in quick succession, putting the game to dead in the eyes of most, but not for the gutsy 5s. Continued pressure and a harsh yellow card for Bracknell, reducing them temporarily to 10 men, led to a 6th and 7th goal for Sonning, with the entire team working as a unit to attack Bracknell from all angles. It was a completely compelling showing from Sonning. A late consolation goal for Bracknell was not enough to dampen spirits as the final whistle blew to mark a near perfect performance.

The 5s now sit top of the table and have laid down an ominous marker for the rest of the league that Sonning are the new team to beat.

By Elliott Weiss