FIVES FORGE FORWARD IN ELTHAM

"Ruddy hell, it's a tad nippy this morning, isn't it?" said Matthew.
"Nippy?!" replied captain Paul " I'm freezing my barnacles off!"
"I wonder if those chaps over there might like to take part in a game with us" chirped in James.
"Good call, James!" said Paul. "Hey chaps, would you care for a game of jolly hockey sticks?"
"Why not!" came the reply.
"Great stuff!!"
"You're wellcome" said the chaps from Gravesend. (*ba-dumm-tish*)

And so in the fresh morning chill the challenge match began. The chaps from Gravesend were full of confidence as they had already thumped our heroes 5-0 earlier in the season. But our intrepid warriors had battled on since then, quietly honing their skills, and gave the visitors a proper shock.
As in the last few weeks the hockey was beautiful, crisp, clean and as fresh as the morning. The back line had little to do except distribute the ball wisely, and at the half time break the heroic Fives were 1-0 up thanks to a fine short corner looping over the sliding keeper and thumping the backboard.

"Bravo Zachary," cried Benjamin "that was a most fine strike"
"Thanks awfully, old man" he replied.

"Where's Jonathan?" asked Daniel at the break.
"He's gone off to play with that other gang" replied Paul.
"Bloody Heathen!"
"Precisely"

The second half put the fantastic Fives even more in control of the game, with the ball rarely venturing into their own half. Glorious performances all round, especially from Ravi who collected the man of the match accolade. Thanks to Martin and Stuart for holding the back line. The Fives could have walked away with seven or eight, but for the fine keeping skills of the visiting goalie. The final score was 2-0 with the second goal going to the returning Jamie (although possibly helped over the line by James!).

Hip hoorah, hip hoorah, hip hoorah. The Fives take another glorious victory and keep breathing down the necks of the league leaders. Warm pasta and a glass of fine claret are consumed while the heroic gang make plans for the weeks to come.

Look out for the next instalment as the Fives travel to Ashford in their continued quest to the top of Open Div 2.