Cancelled due to frozen pitches:

Men’s 1s, 2s, 4s, 5s, Otters

Ladies 1s, 2s, 4s, 5s

Men’s 3s

It was a bitter, cold and frosty morning. While many lay asleep in their toasty, mellow homes, Waltham Forest Men’s Third Team were braving the cold, and alas continued their excursion to the deep, glacial town called Brentwood. After the trepidation of waiting for a pitch change, the game was underway, and Forest were fighting a courageous and fierce battle with- what were previously- top of the league.

Moving in swarms, the hockey was fluid, and the passes were as crisp as the frost that stood beneath us. After failed attempts of scoring, and extremely close calls, a goal came Forest’s way, with Michael placing a picturesque slap-hit under the shaky feet of the opposing keeper. Half time. Sweaty foreheads and anaerobic respiration due to lack of oxygen to the muscles was rife from all the diligent effort made by the team. As we talked tactics, we went back out for what was to be another tremendous half of hockey.

What I can only presume was Barcelona-inspired tikka-takka, Forest were triumphant when it came to possession, but after a brief moment of lethargy, Brentwood forced their way into the back of Steve’s net. This didn’t stop us, it was barely an obstacle that we needed to step over, and step over is what we did. Rob’s use of flair and silky moves to brush past the defence allowed a string of super passes between the front men and the midfield. Making the most of the utter brilliant craftsmanship, Tim’s assist lead to a textbook goal by Dan. As if we wanted to replay the mastery that lead to that goal in case anyone had missed it, we repeated the moves, the passes and the vision which lead to the third and final Goal, scored by Tim “Slack-Attack” Slack. Final score? 3-1 to Forest.

An inspirational masterpiece of hockey that was good enough for us to retire on allowed us to produce a top-drawer game. The defence were solid. The midfield bossed the pitch. The forwards were clinical.

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother” – William Shakespeare’s King Henry V

MOM: Tim, for a great game up front (and probably for this sensational match report)

POP: Tim (he left the POP trophy at home so we decided he should keep it)

Written by Tim, edited by Steve

Ladies 3s

To follow