Can anyone remember how to do this thing?

After what feels like weeks away from the hockey pitch due to the inclement weather we returned this weekend in, well, more inclement weather. Just not enough to stop us this time around. It's little wonder that with the prospect of a few hours outside in the pouring rain that all the changing room chat was on our upcoming team Christmas dinner.

We began the game with a little hesitancy and soon found ourselves in a familiar position pinned into our defensive half with the Uni patiently keeping possession waiting for their moment to strike. Initially there was little to trouble us but after soaking up around 10 minutes of pressure the first cracks showed and the Uni won a couple of short corners in quick succession. On their second attempt the initial strike was saved but the follow up found the back of the net.

Our response was immediate - in fact, it all happened so fast you'll forgive me if my memories are vague (I fear I've merged two separate attacks in the desctiption that follows...)! Emily made the initial drive forward from right mid, passing the ball on to Tiny who combined well with Chell on the edge of the D. Then there was Anna waiting around the P spot to pounce on the cross and deflect it past the keeper.

The remainder of the first half felt fairly even with both sides building promising attacks. Both defences were up to the task however and it took a while for the scoreline to change. It was the Uni who took the lead again with a fast break down the right wing. Their forward beat a couple of defenders and took the shot as the ball crossed the line into the D. Maggie stepped out to close the angle but there was nothing she could do to keep it from crashing against the backboard.

In the second half we stepped up our game in more ways than one. With the defence pushing forward to close the lines we were firmly on the front foot. Using the double pivot of Rachel and Emma in the middle of the back line we started to make our triangles more effective, allowing Alice and Zoe to combine with their respective mids to progress deeper into the attacking half. The equaliser felt inevitable and once again it was Anna's name on the score sheet.

Back on level pegging we had all the momentum going our way. It seemed the Uni didn't know how to cope with all our outfield players in their half and we successfully kept them pinned back. We certainly looked the more likely to score the winner. As the clock ran down however it became clear we also needed to make sure we didn't give them any opportunity to sneak away with the three points. So the final few minutes were all about game management.

It felt good to be back on the pitch and to go into the Christmas break off the back of such a confident and commanding team performance. So much so that there was no clear winner for player of the match and we all came away with a piece of the award.