Week 27

On a poor pitch, making attractive hockey very difficult, Staines ground out a 1-0 win thanks to a deflected Matt Truman finish with about ten minutes to go. The game was not one for the crowd with Staines who have been scoring freely over the past few weeks struggling on the bone dry pitch. In fact they did not really look like scoring all game until a short passing move through the middle resulted in Paul Arnott sliding a pass through to Truman to deflect in the winner. This goal was met with huge relief as it was Barnes who looked the more likely to take the points. They created a number of chances but failed to take any with some woeful finishing combined with a couple of outstanding saves from Andy Green in the Staines goal leading to Staines' veteran defence keeping a very timely first clean sheet of the season.

So, Staines' battle for promotion continues, with both Fareham and Chichester winning their games the promotion spots are still up for grabs and with all the sides facing a tough run in, everything is still to play for. This week Staines face mid table Gore Court, keen to avenge a 4-2 defeat before Christmas.

After the fun and games of the week leading up to this game Staines were confident with having a Squad of 14 plus an umpire, (thank you Colin I am sure you have sold your soul alot this season). The team all met bright and early 9.30 saturday and when Jeanette the captain turned up at 9.45 we were ready to leave. A pleasant drive was had around the M25 to junction 25 which was nearly missed as Linda and Kerry were for a change, chatting.

We arrived in good time with 1 and a quarter hours till push back so made ourself comfortable in the changing room which had rather an interesting integril toilet! With 45 mins to go we ventured out to the pitch to do our warm up of shuttle runs, dynamics and then stick work. At 11.45 the oppo arrived and we felt positive for the game.

Staines started of well and after 15 mins Juliet had scored our first goal, the second goal came from Kate and this ended the half time result. The start of the second half was very sloppy by Staines and we could not stop WHE from dominating our half which lead to their goal. Staines took note of their errors and never looked back minutes later Staines were awarded a long corner Kate struck it, it remained firmly on the pitch Linda was at the top of the D she struck and there was the third goal. Unfortunately in the celebration Juliet the poacher had to admit it hit her stick as it went it so the goal was hers !!!! In the last few minutes Staines got another short corner and we decided to use the No 3routine, Kate did us proud and gave us the 4 1 win we needed to remain 2nd in the league.

Lou, Ingrid, Kerry and Von Von worked tirelessly at the back and Chantel pulled out the stops in Goal when needed, Jeanette, Debbie, Lizzie and Linda worked well in the mid field and feed juliet Kate and lauren their balls to create the goals. A special thanks to Emma Crawly and Mille Nowiki who came up from the 5's to help us out and were certainly not out of place so everyone look out next season.

MOM was Von Von solid as every at the back and Doris of the day Jeanette no not for turning up late, not for not pulling over when a police car with flashing light is behind you but for getting everyone in her car to check their doors and seatbelts to find the flashing light on her dash board was for the hand brake.

-frigid: devoid of warmth and cordiality; expressive of unfriendliness or disdain; "a frigid greeting"; "got a frosty reception"; "a frozen look on their faces"; "a glacial handshake"; "icy stare"; "wintry smile"