The English Summer Time. Sometimes it comes early. Sometimes late. Sometimes, barely at all. We all recognise the signs. The struggle to find a British tennis player (outside of a Henman or a Murray) to last beyond a week at Wimbledon. English Cricket lauded as being on the rise, or lambasted as being terminally toilet. And the English football team underperforming at any any tournament where they are asked to play a team higher in the world rankings than Burkina Faso. Well, by the simple expedient of putting our faith in the ladies team we have put that one to bed. Why, we even got rid of a last minute heroic defeat in heartbreaking circumstances courtesy of the 'Lionesses'. So, let's all enjoy the sun, and the rest of the sporting summer!

Glass of Pimms? Don't mind if I do!

So to Waterhall and the Pro-Direct Tournament; a chance to consolidate the rapid advances Hawks have made since the turn of the year, and look to bed in a few changes prior to next season with all the new challenges and teams it will offer. Not least that we won't be 'Hawks' anymore.

Last minute managerial discussions raised the possibility of taking an extended 10 man team to the tounament. Big squad, but would it assist our proposed high tempo approach...

The Pool Games

The coaching duma outlined a technical, highly involved, diligently prepared, foolproof gameplan to the eager Hawks players. This can be boiled down to simple analysis; these games rarely feature more than 1 goal. The team that scores first almost always wins. Therefore set up with this in mind. One defender, one centre mid, 2 wingers and a centre forward. Only after much debate did we even decide to field a goalkeeper, so vital was it that we attack from the first whistle. Win 7 games 1-0. Back in time for tea and cake. Managerial genius.

After 3 minutes of the first game against Lancing, we were 2-1 up. Hmm.

The success of how we set up depended on a dynamic centre midfield feeding the centre forward quickly, with aggressive support from high pressing wingers. The first game showed this in excelsis, but in many ways the most laudable performance came from Thomas K as our sole defender, setting the standard for our defence for the rest of the tournament. Plaudits too to DCA for retaining his concentration throughout, pulling off a smart save towards the end.

Next up were Mile Oak, relegated from DIvision 1 last season. This game saw a virtuoso performance from Thomas S, where everything he tried came off, and boasted a second blistering penalty from Thomas, plus a fine finish from DCA, minutes after hitting a post. Habitually slow starters in these tournaments, we were suddenly all but assured of going through as winners. Plus we had, of course, negotiated the twin perils of the penalty and copping an unfortunate woodwork based disappointment. What a relief.

We qualified top of the group with a solid win over Shoreham, who posed a threat with a mean defence. This game saw us slightly less fluent than previously, but Shoreham's lack of firepower up front meant we were always favourites, and another poacher's finish from DCA confirmed our win..

Hawks 5 (Jyoit / Luke 4) Lancing 1
Hawks 3 (Luke / Thomas K (pen) / DCA) Mile Oak 1
Hawks 2 (Olly / Jyoti) Shoreham 0

2nd ROUND / QUARTER FINAL

Meridian were your first knock out opponents. With no plate tournament all our good work would be undone if we lost focus. Another clean sheet was decisive in settling this game, though it remained tight for the first 10 minutes or so. It was a rare and deserved goal from Olly that set us on our way prior to Jyoti settling matters late on.

With Lancing coming through their knock out game, we had to face them for a second time, a fact that was not lost on their manager who indicated no great optimism at this pairing. For the first 5 minutes, Lancing's keeper kept us at bay. When the floodgates eventually opened, through a determined finish from a marauding Theo, whose effort was clear for all to see, we took full advantage. Bear was particularly delighted to notch, not least as he had seen a previous effort cannon back back off the crossbar. (Twice denied by the frame in one day! At least the odds would suggest that we wouldn't have to worry about this again today!)

Hawks 2 (Olly / Jyoti) Meridian 0
Hawks 4 (Theo / Jyoti / Bear / Luke) Lancing 0

SEMI FINAL

We prepared for the game against Barnham by watching them triumph in their quarter final penalty shootout. It was obvious that this was a determined and resilient side. Notwithstanding their PSG away kit, a violent shade of pink, they had something of the look of stormtroopers about them, and this would be an interesting indication of what would await us in our revamped division next season.

And things could not have gone better. At least, at the start. Straight from their kick off, Luke nipped in to nick the ball away from the intended midfield recipient, go past the defender and finish emphatically! 5 seconds on the clock and we were away. 2 minutes later and Thomas' close range finish put us 2 up. The colour was almost visibly draining from their shirts. Barnham were shaken, and a third would have put us through. But they came back strongly, showing that they were indeed a team to be reckoned with. They pulled one back and then, with 2 minutes to go, equalised. There was still time for a free kick from Elis to be headed just over by Luke, but neither team could land the knock out blow. And so, with obvious, weary inevitability, to penalties. Barnham battle-hardened, Hawks nervous. The width of the post, not once but twice denied us and we were out.

Hawks 2 (Luke / Thomas S) Barnham2 (Barnham win 6-4 on pens)

This was a splendid showing, even if it was an ultimately disappointing result, and it augurs well for next season. Never more apparent was it that these tournaments are about the squad, not any one individual. DCA deserves acclaim for filling in all around the pitch, and contributing excellently in goal, and Thomas K was at his indefatigable best in defence, not putting a foot wrong.

I normally avoid mentioning all the players in reports as it lessens the value of praise, but they really all deserved it. Elis was unhurried calm throughout, seeming to play at a different tempo to everyone else, lazily pinging 20 yard passes from the back to release another attack. Bear was a dynamic ball of energy particularly in the semi final, and boasted the best dance moves as well. Barney, a late but necessary addition to the squad controlled centre midfield. Thomas S produced some of his best performances in a Hawks shirt, running rings around hapless defences. Jyoti, selfless as ever, filled in across all the attacking positions and finished splendidly, scoring vital goals. Olly was a rock, both in goal and when out on the pitch, frequently drawing 2 opposing players but rarely, if ever, losing possession. Theo was at his most determined, red faced with effort, and scorer of the best received goal of the day. Luke finished well, providing a consistent goal threat, and linked up play consistently.

It was great to see us taking our training ground 'rondos' and taking them out to the pitch, knowing when to dribble and when to pass. I have no doubt that any combination of 6 players from this current Hawks squad (including those who didn't play!) would have replicated these performances. So much that is encouraging, and, if we can take consolation not solely from our performance, remember this date...

December 7th 2014.

The last time Hawks have been beaten in normal time.

Lewes Bridge. Consider yourself warned.