While Keir Starmer spent the week trying to steady the ship in Westminster, the Henley Ladies hockey teams secured something he’d probably quite like - a letter from the House of Commons congratulating them all on their “commitment….and determination”. The words “athleticism” and “impressive” may have also featured somewhere in there. Amongst all the drama and finger pointing currently swirling round government it must have been pleasing for the local MP to note that at least one organisation in Britain is delivering consistent performance and minimal scandal.

The first match of the day saw the ladies tucked into the smaller changing room, having gallantly ceded the larger one to Windsor Ladies 5s. It was either an act of saintlike generosity or a cunning bit of psychological warfare - killing the oppo with kindness before the whistle even blew. A charm them at the door, floor them with the score, kind of vibe, as it were. Just so Henley Fours ?.

Having kept the instructions simple last week, Captain Ali decided to keep to the mantra if it ain't broke, don't fix it, so this week the strategy talk was over as soon as it began and it was straight onto the pitch for a full-on warm up. There were high knees and bum-kicks and even a bit of sideways dancing before some hitting balls to each other, into the goal and even a mini-game. With only four games into the second half of the season, could this already be the well-oiled hockey machine Captain Ali had dreamed of? Not quite. The other side had finished their sticks-in huddle and chant and were lining up in their correct positions whilst there was still a large degree of faffing going on with some of the Henley youngers who were catching up on the week’s gossip. Luckily Captain Ali was there to restore order and ensure the team were focused. Sticks in, chanting done, Henley were ready to go.

Windsor took first push back and it was clear they meant business from the off. Captain Ali had set an ambitious target to wrestle the ball away from them in the first 10 seconds, but wise to Henley’s dominance at the top of the league, the other side seemed to have fielded a team who were on average younger and springier than Henley had come up against before. The home side would have to up their game. The first 5 minutes were evenly matched and the pace fast, as each team turned the ball over quickly in each other’s halves. Nicky Watts and Evie Quinn, as the two marking defenders, stuck to their players like glue, whilst Isla Hallet, at centre back, was free to pick up any spare attackers who might try to threaten Henley goalie Jasmine Hillyard’s space. Kicking the game up a gear, Captain Ali picked up the ball deep in the Henley third and initiated the transfer to Bea Watts. Driving forcefully down the line, Bea transferred to Charlotte JJ, who passed right to Charlotte Moore who pushed towards Tilly Alderton who converted to give Henley their first goal. It may have taken a bit longer than usual, but there was no doubt about it – this felt like more grown up hockey.

The relief from the Henley side was palpable as they were still trying to get the measure of the Windsor side and settle into a steady rhythm. But the calm was shortlived, as the opposition came back fighting hard, driving the ball deep into Henley’s third. If it had been any team other than the Henley 4s, they would have undoubtedly been feeling the pressure, but the dogged determination of birthday girl Nicky and the explosive power of Autumn Renshaw were no match for this attack. Nicky stepped to the Windsor player travelling with the ball and refused to move out of her way, no matter which way she turned. Taking advantage of this weapon’s grade hassle, Autumn was able to intercept the ball and send it all the way down the middle of the pitch to Captain Ali, who zig zagged with it into the Windsor D and across to Katherine Alderton. The Windsor defence however had other ideas and were offering up a tight structure which was making the 2nd goal tricky for Henley. Rising to the challenge, Henley continued to press and soon won a short corner from which Captain Ali assuredly received the ball and slotted it home to chalk up another goal for Henley.

For the remainder of the first half, Henley practised some text book hockey. The defenders hassled and blocked and the mid-field picked up the ball and transferred between each other and the forwards. Of note was the athleticism of Florence Moorcroft who time and time again won the ball from an opposition player at one end of the pitch and would then easily out run them, motoring down the right hand side with the sort of ease that left all the other players questioning the progress of their New Year’s fitness goals. Taking advantage of a gap in the field, Bea Watts found the ball and ran with total focus from the half way line into the circle. Sensing a now or never moment of glory, she took her shot from a tricky angle on the right hand side and sliced the ball diagonally across the keeper into the left-hand pocket of the goal. Tilly, deciding to try out some cool girl shots of her own was the next Henley player to find herself in front of the goal and with an assured chip and hit motion lifted the ball from the left-hand side of the D and directed the ball into the top right-hand side of the net, over the head of the keeper. Not to be outdone by the youngers, next it was time for one of the seniors to step up and be counted. In some lovely Captain-coach-mentor supportive play, Captain Ali drove hard with the ball up the right hand side and along the back line to send a gift of a ball in Charlotte Moore’s direction. Charlotte, who was standing in the sweet spot (as per the training drills) pushed it home across the line to bring the goal tally for Henley up to 5. The half-time whistle blew and the team were buzzing. Could things get any better?

Yes they could, as it turned out. With a guest appearance from super-sub Kat-at-the-Back. There was just enough time for the team to get over their excitement before they needed to reassemble onto the pitch for the next half. Katherine was straight off the blocks and rushing at an unsuspecting Windsor player who panicked and sent the ball into open space. From there Amy Hill picked it up and pressed higher towards the Windsor third until a pincer movement from the opposition stole the ball to send it back down the pitch. But it wasn’t long before the ball was returned to its rightful place in the Henley attacking zone and Katherine and Amy were working as a slick double act in the D, backwards and forwards until Amy scored the next goal and then shortly after, another, bringing the total to 7.

Meanwhile, Charlotte JJ had been working tirelessly in the midfield, weaving in and out of the Windsor players only to be taken out by one headbutting her in the neck. Shocked to see one of their teammates taken out in such a brutal fashion, the ladies, in an unusual error of judgement, were caught with the defensive line too high. Seizing such a golden opportunity, one of the Windsor players exploited the gap and ran with the ball as fast as she could down the left hand side of the pitch towards the Henley goal. Kat’s reach, although superhumanly long, wasn’t long enough in this instance and keeper Jasmine readied herself for some action. As the Windsor player approached the side of the D, she attempted a shot across the goal, but being no Bea Watts, she missed and the Henley team gave a sigh of relief and vowed never to (literally) take their eye of the ball again. Meanwhile Kat vowed to get a revenge goal, which she did, and Charlotte JJ decided to do the same. Bravely subbing back onto the pitch for the final 10 minutes, she saved the best till last and in some beautiful 1-2 hockey with fellow Charlotte (M), the two Charlie’s ran up the pitch, generously passing the ball to each other until Charlotte JJ took possession in the centre of the D and clinically shot it past the keeper. The final whistle blew and it was 9-0 to Henley. It was then back to the clubhouse for the ladies to celebrate the score line and Nicky’s birthday with a lovely cup of tea and an even lovelier slice of cake.

Many congratulations to Nicky on her player of the match vote with the extreme levels of aggravation she managed to give the other side’s attacking players. Honourable mentions also to Amy and Flo who were also brilliant, of course.

And by way of reminder, it’s 88 goals and counting…come on the Fours!