Alex Smart reports: "A strong line up of 15 arrived at The Triangle for a rearranged match that was due to played in the first week after the Christmas break. Sumi thought it was Thursday on Friday night and sent a message close to midnight for a lift to a 9.30am meet.

Not satisfied with any of the 15, Lizzy asked where Ange was. Meg thought that Burgess Hill might be tired after having a game last week (yes, seven days ago!). What actually happened was that they didn’t have a two-week break from hockey and their game flowed considerably better than ours. There was more excitement in our team about the padel court, swimming pool slides and lazy river than playing hockey.

It was hard work on the pitch and with some Spring sunshine threatening, running back and forth was even more exhausting. Our passes to each other weren’t always the most sympathetic and we struggled to make decent connections for most of the first half.

We improved as the game went on and Ellen, Georgie, Gemma and Emily were crucial screens to provide an outlet for the defensive line of Amanda, Diva, Lizzy, Zoe and Sumi. Sorrel’s ability to maintain possession while being attacked by multiple sticks, Elise’s pace on the ball and Izzy’s determination were all crucial to help get the ball up the pitch. Shelley broke the deadlock to give us a 1-0 lead into half time after some skilful work on the left post to get the ball across the line.

Our press and counter cover were lacking in the second half and we allowed the opposition to play the ball through the middle of the pitch far too much. They capitalised on a quick breakaway and after a strong first phase save from Downton Abbey, they quickly rebounded the ball into the net to equalise.

There was a good 10 minutes where Burgess Hill would not get out of our D. Bisham Abbey did a great job keeping the ball out of the goal and keeping her cool as she came under fire at close range. The ball got as far as the goalline and hit the post but we somehow managed to keep the score where it was.

As the defence cleared wide and played up the wing, the ball flew up the line at about waist height. One of the opposition reached out her hand and caught it. After laughing at herself, apologising profusely and handing the ball back to us, we were rather surprised at the decision that it would be a Burgess Hill free hit.

Rich expressed his feelings passionately about the decision, which resulted in a card that would have been for me but as I was already on the subs bench, Emily joined us for a break. The umpire mistakenly ran across the pitch with a red card but thankfully he meant green. Rich spent the rest of the game in the dugout being babysat by an eight-year-old.

Our penalty corners were a bit rogue, culminating in Georgie flooring Lizzy by smashing the ball into her foot. Burgess Hill converted a penalty corner with a strong strike to take the lead and we couldn’t quite find another goal to claw back a point.

Resisting the urge to hit the Clip n Climb wall on the way out, we congregated in the pub for a Brighton & Hove style teas of sandwiches. This spread seemed posher with tea pots complete with woolly hats and traditional cups and saucers. We’re easily pleased.

PoM: Amanda - solid tackles, awesome danger runs up the line and crucial passes into the attacking 25.

DoD: Despite making a case for PoM for his passionate display on the sideline, it’s clearly Rich for being carded as a coach."

Other result

East Grinstead 4s 4 BHHC 7s 2