Mens 4th Team Vs Rugby and EW 5

Toughest game of the season so far. Rugby were well organised and clearly used to the very bouncy Rugby School pitch, which Boots could never really get to grips with. We were somewhat hampered by a pair of baised umpires, who were directly responsible for at least two of Rugby's goals following some very suspect decision-making.

Rugby took the lead through a couple of short corners, and it was an up-hill struggle from there. With the bouncy pitch, we paid the price when we marked too tightly, leaving man-of-the-match Lewis Mawer exposed in goal too often - although we was up to the task and kept the Rugby attackers frustrated.

Boots reorganised in the second half, dropping an extra back back into midfield, and trying to keep a spare, deep-lying sweeper free to mop up the loose bouncing balls. This tactic worked out better for us, restricting the Rugby chances in the second half, with their only goal coming when we stepped forward a little too much and were caught on the counter.

Overall a tough defeat despite a decent performance. Another toughie next week against Loughborough Students, but plenty of optimism for the rest of the season.