UNDERMANNED AND UNCONVINCING IN MARDEN

Uphill all the way with ten players from the start. One player pulled out and one initially seemed to be a no-show. We had just one bona fide defender on the list. But the match started well and we dominated with our ten players. It really didn't feel like we were a player short. We easily picked up the ball in tackles and beat the opposition purely on stick skills. And it was their wanting stick skills that gave us the game.

We missed a good opportunity for an easy goal from a corner after a mixup at right post. Then at about 20 mins, as Ross ran on to the field and brought us up to the bare 11, Zac (?) hit to goal and Paul B and the keeper had a little tussle and it ended up across the line. A grand entrance for Ross.

After half time the match continued as it had been. But the final quarter of play was shambolic. Free hits in defence with players calling for us to pass dangerously across the face of goal... One centre back trying to mark three players (where were the defenders?)... The opposition using full body in tackles and not being penalised... Defence taking forever on 16 yard hits (which rightly prompted a call of time wasting)... Lack of positions... Forwards being too soft and not shooting at goal...

We slowly got some sense back, but then the shot of the match came. One opposition player, who Jamie had valiantly and superbly marked all game, got loose (the village of Loose is just near Marden) and cracked a shot from the top of the D. Fortunately it was straight on the post. Tom still got a bit of kicker to it, and would've easily stopped it had the ball been on target. He's a star, and always reliable.

Despite my words about the opposition playing heavy contact, the umpiring was overall very good. Thank you again to the Marden umpire for happily going solo for the first 15 mins. With ten players it would have been difficult to provide one. Thanks also to Mark Ainley for an, as ever, firm performance. Much appreciated by all.

A big welcome to Matt, playing his first game with us - and well played. Thanks to Jamie Cotgreave, the comeback captain for the day. Man of the Match to Ben who is proving very handy after our loss of Nathan from the team.