Crowborough 3 V South Saxons 4

Match Report - by Garry Cooper
South Saxons, division champions (lest we forget), came through a physical and feisty test away to Crowborough with their unbeaten record intact. Interspersed amongst the intimidation tactics employed by ‘The Borough’ there was actually some really good hockey played by both teams. The Saxons defence, which included preferred first choice keeper Eddie Carr-Taylor!, had to be at their best to keep out several good chances from the home team, but the away team made enough chances of their own in the first half to have put the game to bed before the break. As it was, they went in to the half time break 1-0 up thanks to a goal from man of the match Matthew Bate, who latched on to a loose ball in the D to fire home. The second half saw Crowborough introduce even more physicality to their game, employing a high attacking option which stretched the game. Their persistence finally paid off with an equaliser half way through the second half. The goal signaled some unsavory moments in the game and, after a scuffle between two opposing players (and incessant whining from the home team) the umpire called the captains together in an attempt to calm the high emotions, only to find that the captains were, in fact the main protagonists! Due to resolute defending from both sides the game ended in a draw, which felt like a defeat to the Saxons players but was celebrated jubilantly by the home team.