COWHC Men's 3s vs Teddington Men's 6s - 11th March 2017

Only two teams had beaten the mighty 3s in the first half of the season, one of them being Teddington. So when we collide it's likely to be a big game, particularly as it represents first vs third.

So, an early start, a glorious sunny Saturday - neither of which are something I need to enjoy a game of hockey, but the latter certainly helps. A good warm up, extended slightly by the late arrival of our opponents meant that, against all odds, we actually flew out of the blocks and started like a cannonball!

Within a matter of moments we had the ball in the back of the net... but it was disallowed. It wasn't long though until the first goal arrived, followed swiftly by a second. I can't recall which way round they were, but one comprised of a Teddington player being robbed of the ball at the top of their D, TC receiving it and finishing with aplomb, while the other (unbelievably) came from a short corner - Hutch shaping to shoot before actually playing a lovely pass to TC, who had slipped behind the defence and had an easy finish. A while ago it seemed impossible for us to score from a short, but something has clicked and we're managing to get something from them.

Teddington themselves had a short corner which could have caused us trouble, but when you have a whippet like Mulley in the team it makes a difference at both ends of the pitch. Running first he was on the Teddington stopper before he even knew it, nicking the ball away and starting our counter attack.

Goal 3 came for Jim "he scores when he plays" Swift. Picking the ball up on the right he drove forward and tucked his shot neatly between the keeper and the near post.

TC wrapped up his hat-trick before half-time to leave us 4 - 0 up at the break.

Calm words from dP that the game wasn't over meant we were fully focussed on the second half. The climb facing Teddington wasn't exactly mountainous, more of a skyscraper, and to their eternal credit the battled hard for that second 35 minutes. They were making full length diving stops, their keeper pulled off a couple of good saves, and they had a couple of promising moves themselves.

They did win another short, and once again Mulley disrupted it before the Teddington player had time to think!

We kept probing though and Woj of all people ended up providing the assist for our 5th goal, finished off by Ben Ellis. A moment like this doesn't come along too often, and I'm sure Woj'll give you an exact account of it if you ask nicely enough!

The final whistle blew and while it probably wasn't met with Hallelujah by Teddington, I'm sure they were grateful for it.

Back-to-back championships? Nothing's certain yet but that's my goal... sorry, our goal! When you believe hard enough, these things can happen.

POM was Keith for a dominant display at the bottom of the diamond (what a hero!)

DOD was Corny - despite not even playing!

Thanks to Mike and AJ for umpiring and to anyone who disrupted their Saturday morning to come and watch us.