Ross 2nd XI hockey team travelled to Bourton in the Cotswolds to take on a young Sherbourne 2nd XI team. A midday push back meant an early departure from Ross and it was with only minutes to spare did all eleven players arrive on the pitch. This late arrival meant stand-in keeper Ben da Cunha missed out on a valuable warm-up.
The lack of preparation also manifested itself in a very slow start by Ross and Sherbourne took the advantage with some neat inter-passing. However, just as Ross were getting into their stride they were unfortunate to go a goal behind because of what seemed strange umpiring.
It wasn't long though before an equalising goal was created and finished off by Richard Stewart on the right wing. Defensively, despite a few wobbles, the aging immobile back line of Gareth Hughes, Tim Jones, Greg Weston and Edward Peck began to dominate and soon found themselves rooted in the Sherbourne half.
During the half time interval captain Chris Chalk gave perhaps his harshest critique of the season to describe how things had gone wrong and what was required in the second half. Adam Couch and Chris Bargh up front certainly gave everything to find a way through the opposition's rear guard. Midfielders James Adamson and Sean Couch also tried to add their weight to attacks, but once again it was against the run of play that Sherbourne broke out of their half and, with another unusual umpiring decision, scored.
Ross now threw everything at the Sherbourne goal, including the kitchen sink, but still could not find the back of the net. Then just as the final whistle blew a penalty flick was awarded to Sherbourne, which was converted. The Final score was Sherbourne 3 - Ross 1.
Charlie Exton was voted man of the match as his style of play was absolutely suited to this type of match.