Spencer welcomed Jesse Churchward, our LDO for the season, into a squad of regular players. The random draw format pitched us against the following teams where we recorded a won 3 lost 3 record for the day. That was not good enough to make the final 8 team knockout phase – in fact no Southern league team achieved that but from the games we saw both Hitchin and the Walcountian Blues came close.

Game 1 vs Oldham, won 2-0
Game 2 vs Walcountian Blues, lost 1-3
Game 3 vs Sheffield Steelers, lost 1-4
Game 4 vs Heaton Mersey, lost 0-3
Game 5 vs Bath Exiles, won 3-1
Game 6 vs Rochdale Indians, won 3-1

As always with reduced team formats, the games were fast and frantic. Alas we lost Ant Broadhurst after game two with an ankle injury so were a short-stick down – step forward Ian Ochs, a promising American teenager who’s family is living in Brussels. Ian was over to get gametime and experience. He hooked up with the Reading team but luckily the scheduling allowed him to play in our last three games – and I think scored at least two goals. Thanks Ian.

Finally a big thanks to the organisers for what seemed like a slick and well run event that we certainly enjoyed and have the sun burn to prove it.