Let’s start with the big story of the day. Strapping on goalie pads inflates Roper from an already ample barrier into a mega barrage. To the relief and delight of his team, it not only expands his volume, but extends his talents and transforms him into a really useful last line of defence. For the first time in living memory he was an athlete. He stretched, he dived, he slid, he kicked, he saved and saved again. Roper is a goalie (and MoM)!

The outfield also had an unexpected surprise. Who would have known that twinkle toes Jack Grealish warms up for an evening footy international with an afternoon of hockey under the pseudonym of Dan H (DoD)? It could be true. Both have distinctive hair and are involved in many fouls. If Jack, like Dan, wanders here and there lamenting the onset of rheumatism in his left foot, then it has to be fact.

Had the team had more games together our goal count could have been a multiple of three. Throughout the game there were skillful dribbles, deft touches and clever deflections, but not many were strung together. High-risk-high-reward plays must be part of the game but they were the norm whereas the boring but safe pass to an open comrade should be the mainstay. Greater patience and more recycling could have created openings for Wyn and Suuj to outflank their markers, drive into the D and feed the master poachers of Hobbs (1) and Cross (2). Captain Pip had advised the use of this strategy at half time and out of frustration that it hadn't been tried, demonstrated its power by slipping a perfect ball to Killer Cross after taking the ball from the top of the D in an arc to the byline and along to a yard from the near post.

To sum up, a good result despite the rusty teamplay.