MINEHEAD Hockey Club Men’s 3rd XI stepped confidently out into storm Darragh to travel to Bradley Stoke to face South Gloucestershire 2s.

Indeed, at the time of writing, one of the only sporting fixtures in the West of the UK to go ahead on the 7th December, due to the dreadful weather conditions which had already forfeited the 1st’s game against Taunton Vale, and the 2’s game at Bridgwater.

The picture was the same all over the Westcountry with gale force winds and rain making matches on grass impossible - and on many all-weather pitches as well making it a blank day for clubs almost everywhere.

South Gloucestershire had obviously fielded a full home side with their main fixture being postponed; a sharp attack led to a penalty corner against Minehead in the first minute, but it ws well defended by keeper Lee Fairbrother who managed to keep the ball out.

Like the oncoming weather, South Gloucestershire came in waves depending on their choice of substitutions and led at half time by 1-0 despite a short corner in favour of Minehead, hit on target but saved.

Half time oranges and Minehead were yet to come up with a cohesive strategy for the second half. South Gloucestershire put a concerted play together that was well held by Simon Strong and several mid field players running back. A brief resurgence by Minehead led to the second short corner in their favour, this one hitting home for a goal by Morris Burrough.

The hosts were rattled and decided to show their strongest hand for the rest of the match and dominated through the centre. Minehead determined to prove coach Speed wrong and that it can be played through the middle were left playing defensively and unable to gel as a team.

On the balance of probabilities, and not despite a few fractious moments between players, opposition, weather and umpires, South Gloucestershire found 2-1 and then 3-1, Man of the Match Simon Strong remaining stalwart in defence while the Minehead sea wall crumbled around him.

Final score was a gloomy 4-1 loss for Minehead, who look forward to welcoming South Gloucestershire at home in March.

Special thanks from skippers Chris Briggs and Will Giles to all who made the effort to travel and play in extreme conditions, your efforts were appreciated by the club and noted by the opposition. A match played in the spirit of the game.

Saturday, December 14, sees the final action before the Festive break with the 1st XI travelling to Sidmouth & Ottery, the 2’s are home to Chard 2’s at 1400, and the 3rd XI open home proceedings at midday against North Somerset.

A.T.