Although we lost 1 - 4 against a strong Brentwood side, we did put up a decent fight for a good stretch of the game. During the last quarter we tired and lost our shape under the pressure, but we didn't stop trying. The pitch was particularly dry and bouncy this week, which caused both teams a few problems, so it wasn't an easy match.

Brentwood started well by pressing every ball with little triangles of (obviously very fit) players, making it hard for us to release the ball forward down the wings. Throughout the game they seemed to retain their energy and reach (octopus arms), frequently cutting out our passes. They also stepped to the ball better than we did.

As ever, we worked hard and caused them problems, but I think their 'whole team' fitness enabled them to do the basics well and retain their shape throughout the game, without panicking.

Sam and Tucker won our MoMs for the day, Sam for her determined defending and Tucker for scoring our only goal on her first go (for us) as a forward. Well done both.

Emily was awarded out DoD for her insightful identification of a particular Brentwood player, during the match, as "the one with the white socks". No prizes for guessing the colour of the standard Brentwood kit socks.

Sam also excelled herself in the domestic goddess role by baking a pacifying lemon drizzle cake for the opposition (there had been raised emotions in the run-up to the game over the venue), a gluten-free drizzle especially for Anna, and an extravaganza of a strawberry cream cake for the rest of us. Superb!

Jane