Hear ye, hear ye! Gather round, good folk, for a tale of valour, frostbitten fingers, and mighty stick-wielding warriors. On a most bracing Saturday morn, with the chill wind biting sharper than a disgruntled goose, the brave Hunters of Huntingdon and Northstowe Hockey Club did march upon the battlefield to face the formidable forces of Cambridge City 7s.

Though but eleven noble souls stood ready—no substitutes, no reinforcements, only grit and perhaps insufficient base layers—they did assemble in a fearsome 4-4-2 formation, a shield wall of stick and spirit. The trumpets of warm-up had barely ceased when the clash of sticks and cries of “MYYY BALL!” rang across the frosty field.

The First Half – A Duel of Equals
Both sides did charge into each other's D-fortresses, launching swift assaults and cunning counterstrikes. Yet 'twas Cambridge City who first breached the Hunters’ defences, sending the ball into the sacred backboard. Thus the half-time horn did declare a score of 1-0 in favour of the enemy.

But let it be known—Ros, guardian of the goal, stood like an iron-clad sentinel. Her saves were mighty, her commands fierce, and the enemy trembled before her padded fury.

Imogen, ever watchful and wise, did read the flow of battle as though it were written in the stars. She cut off enemy advances with aplomb and cleared the ball with the confidence of a knight wielding Excalibur. For this, she was rightly crowned Player of the Match—POM of honour and glory!

Ali C, solid as castle walls, intercepted many a wicked strike and booted the ball to safety, even after receiving a cruel blow to the hand. Chloe, shadow of doom to her foes, stuck to them as barnacles to a ship, never relenting.

Juliette’s game was a marvel to behold—her improvements brighter than polished armour at dawn. She transformed defence into lively attack with swift passes and brave control.

In the centre, mighty Hannah commanded the midfield like a general atop her warhorse—her tackles bold, her passes strong. Lizzie, tireless steed of the squadron, galloped up and down the pitch with no hint of surrender, causing havoc to all who dared oppose her.

Stacey, full of vim and vigour, battled with high energy, defending stoutly and moving play to the front lines. Ali T stood as a loyal protector of the back four, jabbing at the ball like a knight fending off dragons, full of spirit and steel.

The Attackers’ Charge
Jenny darted forth like an arrow from a longbow, making daring runs that stretched the battle lines and created great spaces for comrades. Emily S, fierce of heart, charged into the D with thundering drive. And lo! In the second half, she struck true, scoring the equaliser—the great leveller—to make it 1-1.

Alas, she then did discover, a mere five minutes from the final whistle, that she had borne no shin pads all game long. Thus, with much laughter and mild disbelief, she was awarded the most ancient and honourable title of Lemon of the Match (LOM).

The Final Moments
Though the Hunters fought bravely, Cambridge City did score twice more before the sun dipped low, sealing the battle at 3-1. Yet spirits were not crushed, for the Hunters left the field with heads high and hearts full of pride.

Forsooth, many thanks were given:

To Lady Lizzie, for the most delectable post-battle teas and treats.

To fair maidens Kath and Lucy, for cheering valiantly from the chilly sidelines.

To Umpire Lords Lee and Joan, who wielded the whistle with wisdom and justice.

And to all loyal supporters, whose cries of encouragement warmed even the coldest toes.

Thus ends the tale of courage, camaraderie, and mild frostbite. Until the next mighty clash—may your sticks be strong, your base layers plentiful, and your shin pads... actually worn.

Godspeed, noble Hunters.