Marlborough Vs RWB

On a dull, grey morning the Ladies 1 XI (that’s 1st eleven, Em, not 1 times 1) congregated in the foyer of Abbey Park School to take on RWBHC. Placed 7th and 6th in the league respectively and remembering a 1:2 loss in the first half of the season there was a fierce determination to come away with a better result this time.

Starting with an intensity rarely seen (especially in the first game after a well-fed Christmas) Marlborough dominated the game from the off, winning an early short corner. Executed with precision and determination, Alex fired the ball from the top of the D to score the opener. A second corner followed shortly after and from a well timed slip right, Emma (P) slotted a second just inside the right post.

Such intensity could never last, however (other than in the legs of Kirsten who may actually be superhuman... and very much deserved MOM) and, despite ferocious defending, an increasingly physical Bassett scored a screamer just before the half time break.

Restarting at 2:1, Marlborough lacked the ferocity of their first half campaign. In spite of some beautiful runs of play between half back, midfield and forward lines, Bassett equalised and then - much to the horror of the MHC chief cheerleaders - went ahead 3:2.

Feeling beleaguered and plagued by injury the ladies needed some inspiration... and in a genius call by Alex, commanded with confidence by Rachel, they went to a half court press. And what a transformation! Within minutes the green dream team were back on top, winning another PC. El capitano (Emily) collected a rebound, beat the keeper and would have scored were it not for a defender’s size 9s. Awarded a P flick, Emma (P) bagsied the honours and (to everyone’s relief, not least her own) hit the target for the equaliser. There followed a trademark nail-biting final 10 mins but the score line remained unchanged. A hard won point but a point nonetheless!