Bicycle enthusiasts deflate Kettering

A match report in the form of an acrostic poem.

Come one and all
As we tell you the tale of a
Match hard fought -
But where Kettering could not prevail.
Right across the land
In quaint little Cambridge, full of bicycles and students fatigued,
Did Saturday take the excited Men’s Seconds to face their
Greatest challenge yet in the mighty
East leagues.

So the game began and like bats
Out of hell (as Meatloaf would say),
Under immense pressure (with their rapid ball speed)
They put Kettering - under their spell -
How Kettering were shocked at the quality of play!

Short corners were conceded by Kettering in the very first minutes and, to
Everyone’s dismay,
Cambridge managed to slip
One by the defence to go one up from the start.
Now, Kettering were frustrated, but kept working hard;
Down and up the pitch the play went but the home team ground out the half
So at the interval: one – nil, could they make it last?

Vexed at themselves, Kettering set out to level the score.
In the second half, KM2s were like a different team,
Controlling the play and still giving their all.
Though tragedy struck when, from a short corner,
Off Freeman’s foot bounced the bright yellow ball on its way into the goal.
Realising his error Freeman walked away – for once a leap may have been needed -
It was a p-flick to Cambridge – silence descended…
Oh the horror! The horror!
Up stepped the taker, tying to slide the ball into the bottom right corner…
SAVED – the score kept at one – nil, Kettering could still dare to hope…

Off from the sixteen, Kettering steamed up the pitch
Very quickly finding a foot in the ‘D’ – the resulting short corner
Exquisitely put away by Adam Duell. One – One. Could Kettering
Really dream of a result against such a strong opponent?

Kicked into life, Cambridge turned the screw tighter.
Entering into an endgame full of blood, sweat and tears.
Two minutes off for Michael and his new stick for a last-ditch
Tackle left Kettering with ten. Tom Storey’s skill once again brought on smiles,
Enraging his marker, bringing down the youngster to relieve pressure at their end of the pitch.
Rapid play by South brought agony for Kettering. After a series of great passes
Into the goal the ball was swept: two – one.
Not long left on the clock; a
Goal for Kettering didn’t have long to appear…

Scuffles on the side-line resulted in a Green card for Mark
Enraged at the standard of tackling against himself and seeming to lash out.
Calm heads were needed, but alas the result was not to be in Kettering favour. Back
On came Hawkins and the final whistle blew.
Not happy with themselves Kettering vowed revenge at the next meeting,
Deciding that the next match between them would end with three points for them.
So next week sees KM2s at home to Long Sutton – please remember to wear blue!

MoM: Matt Coe

DoD: Mark Hawkins

No opposition match report as of yet, but https://www.cambridgesouthhockeyclub.co.uk/matches/2741/ is the link to where it should eventually appear.