SHC Snails 0 - 1 Old Cranleighan WO45s (A)

First Round of WO45 Cup

It’s difficult to know where to begin with this one as there is so much to say but let me start with the journey to Reed’s Castle. As we processed along the drive in our black Range Rovers with darkened windows we were bubbling with excitement at the prospect of the “game”.

Cast your minds back two years, when the Snails first faced OCs in the WO45 Cup – it was a smash and grab, they thrashed us 6-0 before we barely had time to wield our faithful hockey sticks. Two years later and we lose 1-0 in a great game of hockey, during which one traitorous goal was scored by OCs.

Let’s start with something which was in plain sight all along: Bex turned up to this fixture a whole week early and still didn’t get voted DOD at the round table. All I will say at this stage is, “Cut me and I will bleed equations”.

The group challenge for today was to avoid matching our previous result against OCs, have fun and try to score some gold (oops… goals!). The Snails played some lovely hockey throughout this game creating ample chances to win it.

Here are some highlights:

· Annie protected the Castle valiantly; it was as if she was wielding a shield to stop the ball going in.

· The defenders (Ellie, Jane, Becky, Emma Dempsey) made murderous tackles and transferred the ball with pace.

· Sunny played centre mid without a break – showing off her “youth”. She played a fantastic role. OCs detected her skills and noticed the obvious threat, they surrounded her repeatedly whilst sowing stories of misinformation in a blatant attempt to ensure she wouldn’t survive another night.

· Anna, Bex and Rachel showed their superior fitness and skills tracking up and down the pitch.

· Val was back in her rightful line and showed what we had been missing out on last season - trapping the ball, laying off great passes and beating players repeatedly.

· Ruth, Jo and Izzy created chance after chance in the D. Their press was as pointed and attacking as a turret forcing the defenders to go wide time and time again.

One highlight was my aerial - the first one I have ever done in a game. It nearly resulted in a goal - it might be because everyone was so surprised! But quite frankly, I could have done with a shield, as the traitors amongst us were clearly conspiring against me just because I was prepared to put my body on the line. Despite being prone on the floor, I managed to protect the ball and pass it to Ruth - I wonder whether this was because all the other players on both teams and the umpires were just too busy laughing?!

After the post-game banquet OCs donned their cloaks, put their hoods up and sloped off to plot their next murder. However, the Snails certain of the fact they were, and always had been, faithful, went back to Surbiton to share their sorry tale with the Sloths.

Thanks to Coach Fee who with her strategies, spreadsheet and a points system (of which Prof Hannah Fry would have been proud) kept us all in order. Thanks to Dave for umpiring us again - see you next week!

It’s time to wipe the slate clean, go and bring the Plate back to the Castle.