On a cold January morning in Basingstoke the watersiders set out to get a few points in the bag to take them back up the table. After a rousing talk from Linda and the techy visual aid that made Emma and Esther stand to attention (and yes Marie that orange thing on the ipad is the ball) the siders were fired up and ready for action.

The game started well with strong defending and excellent shielding from Emma and coolio in the middle. However despite the hard efforts of the whole team to keep the ball out of the net, Basingstoke managed to sneak a goal though in the first half. Although waterside had a few opportunities things just were not going their way and the force of Marie, Alex, and Dudley could not budge that score line even.

Half time and with the formation slightly altered to release Joey to push up into the forward line, the team set out again to take hold of the game. The second half was more eventful with the siders getting 3 short corners but not being able to turn this into a goal (maybe the size of the goalie put them off).

Joey made some strong runs up the left side and had got herself in a perfect position in the D when Esther fired in one of her notorious bullets. Joey got a stick on the end of it sending it shooting into the top right of the goal. The siders were back in play!

Things got a bit heated and umpire Becca (known always as a player, for her impeccable behaviour) had call to have a word with both captains and stop the whinging.

Unfortunately Basingstoke went on to score a second and despite their best efforts (including falls from Katie, Joey and an outstanding effort by Emma collecting the ball) the waterside ladies were not able to make a come back. And no birthday goals for Katie either!!!

The game ended 2-1 (another example that we don’t travel well). Congratulation to Coolio for a well deserved POM

Onwards and upwards girls!

The Duchess