Putting the unfortunate results of the last few weeks behind us, the team were in buoyant Tinder spirits by the time they arrived in the snow covered 'Forest'.

Red Rover soon had us warmed up and raring to go, as we took to the white snow laced pitch. Bobble hats were reluctantly cast to the side lines as the ladies de-robed ahead of push back. With snow still pelting us in the faces, offering an ill timed exofoliation, the whistle blew. Game time.

Push back was awarded to Blackheath and we hit the frosted ground running from the off. With our forward line fronted by Stonebanks we pressed hard and made the Waltonians work for the ball. 'Maverick' Moore made some sterling tackles on the left hand side, not letting the Walts break us early on. Possession was retained and some lovely flowing triangular play allowed us to gain into the opposition half. Calls for the ball were energetic and loud as we made it clear that we wanted this game in our hunt for three, long overdue points.

Running the left flank like she owned it, Maverick halted any advances down the line. However the birthday girls endurance was soon to be put to the test as she conceded her left half position for some hard earned, but unwanted, time out on the side line.

Time on the clock: 3 minutes 24 seconds

And so the last 11 battled on, subless for the remaining 66 minutes and 34 seconds of the game.

Fresh on the pitch, Kathryn 'sailed' down the left hand side stepping quickly into Mavericks shoes, playing some solid quick through balls to Twinkle Toes Amanda who made a valiant battle on the left wing.

Our stalwarts at the back kept the midfield in check. Navigational calls ensured the whole mid line drifted like the snow in unison with the play. The Walts struggled to break through our press, with our forward holding high to make sure the opposition defence didn't have an easy outlet.

When they did break through our wall, the Walts advances were quickly closed out by Wallace and Pitt, holding their central roles. Pitt made some great attacking link ups with our forward line, with some cheeky mid air balls finding their way through to Twinkle Toes. Stonebanks and Stevenson kept the pressure on the back three but in spite of a few superb strikes and quick breaks were unable to find the back board.

Unfortunately the Walts were able to break through the ranks and find their high players who overloaded our defence. Short corners were won. And despite Wallace stepping quick off the mark to close them down, their assaults were too numerous and they soon found the back of the net. One nil.

With heads still high we continued the fight. Welsh Windsor made some superb aerials from Right Back, the ball taking flight over the heads of the surprised Walts in middle rank. Stevenson managed to get on the end of a number and make a break down the right but despite some strikes on goal, including one which their keeper took on rebound from their shoulder, we were still unable to break through. We continued to press hard and high. Stonebanks and Banksy worked hard to get back and support the defence when the Walts broke quickly. Seale solid as always in her tackles thwarted their attacks jabbing balls from the safety of their sticks, with Peth reliably on hand to calmly sweep up any lose balls at Left Back, tracking her player and ensuring the Walts weren't given an easy route to goal.

Her allegiances however seemingly turned late into the first half, when a fantastic cross from the Walts Left Forward flew like a bullet across our D. Rather than making the Walts work for their subsequent goal, Peth took a clean swipe, fooled Marsters Bright expecting her clearance, and ensured that the Walts injection counted. Two nil.

Time on the clock: 39 minutes and 14 seconds (or somewhere thereabouts)

Blackheath heads didn't drop and or was clear the fight was still there. We wanted these three points badly.

As we stepped back onto the pitch after a rallying cry from Young at half time we knew we had an uphill battle ahead of us. However undettered by their two nil lead we took the game to the Walts through some great attacking play. Their attempts to turnover the ball were numerous but we all knew our roles on the pitch. Wallace's stick reached far to pick out attacking balls with seeming ease, her sweeping passes then finding their way to our attacking three trying to find each over in the oppos 23. Short corners were soon won thanks to Pitts continued battles at the top of the D and our efforts soon paid off. Twinkle toes found Stonebanks who, goal hungry, fought through the scramble to slap a hard ball into the back of the net. 2-1. Game on.

With spirits high and belief restored, our determined attacks continued. Stevenson found a route along the base line and with stick raised high planted a straight ball across the line of the goal. The unexpecting keeper allowed the ball to fumble its way across the white line. Whistle blows. 2-2? Not to be. Our cheers were soon capped as the goal was disallowed. Much to the dismay of Stevenson who despite best efforts was still not to catch the affections of the umpire.

As Blackheath legs began to tire, the Walts continued their relentless assault. Balls were pivoted out from their centre mid finding high players both on their left and right wings making us run hard to keep pace with their play. Peth made some sterling clearances from Left Back and the Oppositions patience was tested as Marsters Bright superbly timed tackles as keeper frustrated their strikers efforts. Wet conditions favourited her way of play, as she gracefully glided along the D on her pads picking the ball beautifully from the feet of the Walts attacker and clearing it to safety.

Unfortunately it wasn't before long before the Walts made a break and a strong run from one of their forwards allowed them the opportunity to make a torpedo strike on goal. 3-1.

They say it ain't over til the fat lady sings and we rallied to keep the game alive.

Attacks continued from all angles and the Blackheath ladies dug deep into their energy reserves to try in an attempt to pull back three deserved points. Stevenson covered much ground, quite literally, falling to the feet of the umpire in swoon. Banksy and Windsor held the press tight on the right stopping advances from the Walts down the line.

Our attacking efforts soon paid off, as a ball 'sailed' through from our left played just inside the 23 yard line which whispered along the edge of Twinkle Toes wizardry stick. The shaved deflection and lightest of touches helped the ball find the back of the net. 3-2. And we were back in the game.

With time running low on the clock we dug in and battled hard. The game was still anyone's for the taking. Stonebanks continued to control the central spine, making strong runs to support play however time just wasn't on our side. As the snowfall started to flutter its way back down to the pitch, the final whistle blew. 3-2.

The tired 11 retired to the warmth of the Officer with fresh exfoliated cheeks and frozen fingers. Although disappointed by the result we could not be disappointed by the way we played and the banana loaf certainly helped cushion the blow. Hopefully the tide will turn in our favour next week.

MoM and DoD both went to Stevenson for great tenacity on the right however it seemed her Bambi legs just couldn't keep her upright at times...!