"Oooooooh, close," said Jo Hill when told that the score was 4-2 to the oppo mid-way through the first half and they had the audacity to scoff at her - they'll never underestimate Jo's all-seeing eye ever again!

The game started better than could have been expected after a deluge of drop-outs decimated the team in the 24 hours leading up to pushback. Thankfully Paula brought along Gamboling Jamie and we managed to field 7 players, albeit with less men than is customary, and we appeared to be in good shape when Olly Knight grabbed an early goal to give us the lead. However, a series of squandered chances, some superb saves off the line a creeping defense slowly left us exposed and before we could catch our breath we were suddenly 4-1 adrift. Then Jo Tibbit bagged the 2nd and the Hill could sense the tide was turning even if everyone around her was looking at her funny - what was new there?!

Goals from Nurse and the ever prolific Paula left us all square at the break and it was a clear that an inspired team talk was needed to bolster the side ahead of the second half. Sadly the good weather, a lack of fitness and the recent proximity of tour meant that the half-time chat sounded like a perverts convention as the team noisily panted and dripped with sweat, unable to muster any words. However, the aim for the second half was clear - a draw could win the league so a shut-out was a necessity. With that in mind it was a little disappointing when Jamie got dispossessed at the top of our D... by a girl. With the point lost we had no option but to attack.

How we found the energy to keep going is beyond any of us but something I'm sure Dwain Chambers can relate to. Surging runs from Claire, whose reverse stick pullback dink continued to befuddle her markers, helped build attacks that Olly and Paula cooly tucked away, and when Nursey was able to break through the middle from a divine Hill - Ashall passing move, the final goal was just the cherry on the cake. Jo had seen that they barely had a goal left in them 30 minutes earlier and her stoic defending had made her prediction come true and the win left us with an unassailable lead at the top of the league... BOOM!