Women's 4s 1 - 2 Spencer 2s (A)
By Charlotte Gallagher & Lisa Clarke
The Saturday Showdown
It was a bright, sunny (slightly blinding) Saturday afternoon, and the mighty Surbiton W4s took on the league leaders in what promised to be a fiery encounter. Spirits were high, sticks were ready, and… Stacey was late!
The game began at a fast pace, with both sides battling for control. Intensity was higher than usually which the team were relishing, and we were going toe to toe. After 25 minutes, Spencer managed to break through and tuck one away, but our heads remained high.
We responded with some brilliant attacking moves, carving out a few one-on-ones with their keeper. Unfortunately, she seemed to be in super hero mode, diving around and closing down every angle like it was the World Cup final.
Lisa had her own dramatic moment early on, exclaiming “Ow, my foot!” before the ball had even properly connected. However, later, mysterious blood was indeed found on her shoe, and even after a pat down, the source remains unknown. CSI eat your heart out.
Meanwhile, Herbie spent a healthy portion of the match enthusiastically exploring every possible use of the back of her stick, while Tegan impressed with relentless leads and tireless pressing up front.
In the second half, the drama intensified. Lisa was scythed down in what can only be described as a scene worthy of slow-motion replay, a painful-looking tumble that had the whole sideline wincing. But the team regrouped, and soon enough, redemption came.
Herbie stormed down the right hand side, unleashed a thunderous hit (or was it an mis-hit?), and Tegan was perfectly placed to deflect it past the keeper, BOOM. 1-1! Cue cheers and fist pumps.
We dominated possession from there, keeping the league leaders penned in and limiting their chances. But hockey can be cruel. In the dying seconds, they sneaked in a final attack, hit a ball across from the right, and a back post deflection found its way home. 2-1, literally as the final whistle blew.
Despite the heartbreak, it was a brilliant performance full of fight, flair, and a touch of chaos, just how we like it.
Conspiracy abounds; Lisa and Charlotte are once again the DOD scapegoats... this is Traitor behaviour!
Final score: 2 Spencer 1 Surbiton
Moral victory: Definitely ours.