Women’s 4s 4 - 1 Southgate 3s (H)

Having had a number of frustrating results throughout the season where we couldn’t quite hold on to slim leads, we knew that Saturday we had to throw everything at this must win game. Sitting third from bottom and knowing that three teams would be relegated, we were level on points with West Herts but with a massive deficit in goal difference. Southgate also had a very slim chance of overtaking us, albeit only if they beat us 14-0.

Hinchley Wood felt like a nice change of venue with the Sloths amongst us playing our home games there and a number of the SHS students also very much on home turf. From the off we were able to exert pressure and despite some early aerial attacks down our left from Southgate we established control and started to move the ball through Charlotte S, our vital pivot in the middle. Swinging the ball across the pitch to stretch Southgate, Tegan, Sophia and Neve were causing havoc up top.

Tegan finally broke the deadlock with an expert deflection from a Charlotte Stacey slider at a short corner. Emily quickly doubled our lead by pouncing on a loose rebound off the keeper, cheekily scoring by sneaking the ball in at the post. The third came shortly after. A quick break led to enthusiastic shouts from Charlotte to “Drop it Sophia” - I’m happy to be ignored when she slams in a rocket of a backhand to give a well-earned cushion of 3-0 at half time.

With Spuggie delivering a very positive half time chat we bounced back onto the pitch only for Charlotte G to be nutmegged on the post in Southgate’s hard won short corner. That forward defensive was as absent as it is on a cricket pitch.

What you really need in these situations are your older, mature, heads to lead the way. What we actually got was a green card each from Emily and Sunny and the calm heads of Aoife, Amber, Bessie and Thea really limiting any further chances from Southgate.

With breaks aplenty Neve bagged a fourth for us and provided a calming cushion once again. Lisa continued to create her usual chaos and disrupt play, Parmy came on and provided a calming presence at the back, Izzy made some ace saves and all in we played enjoyable hockey that created a far less scary last ten minutes. The quality of our youth showed with a four-way tie for POM with Aoife, Bessie, Thea and Amber all receiving two votes. Sadly for me the votes were not so spread so thin, apparently arriving at the game with zero playing kit is just too obvious. I blame living too close for making me complacent!

Our win proved decisive, with West Herts' draw allowing us to leapfrog them to finish just above the relegation positions in ninth.

I would like to take this opportunity just to thank Emily once again for the absolutely selfless captaincy this year. Following our promotion last year we can all agree it was a step up and has proven a tough season at times. Emily has worked incredibly hard this year to try to ensure we go to games with the best possible team available, some weeks she has sent in excess of 25 messages to people. Captaining these days feels very much like a part-time job but she does it with dedication and a real desire to model the absolute best sporting behaviour. We are incredibly lucky to have a leader who is so committed, both to training and games, once landing at Gatwick following a family holiday and getting to the pitch in time for push back. Thank you Emily, it is a privilege to have you leading the way and (if selected) I look forward to another enjoyable season under your guidance…