The Ladies 2s were raring to go after a longer than usual winter break (the weather has been particularly uncooperative this year!). A tough task away at in-form Bicester, who were sitting 3rd in the table before the clash, awaited.

The team made their characteristic fast start, putting Bicester under pressure and winning the ball high up the pitch, but Bicester gained some fighting momentum and it required some tenacious midfield and defensive work to keep the scores level. The defensive trio of Alyx Clarke, Giorgia Fiorentino and Anna Wray were popping up everywhere with tackles and interceptions, gamely screened by the dynamic midfield duo of Kirsten Botha and Lily Wylie.

Henley were having joy on the break, and it was one such breakaway that opened the scoring, a lovely run and cross by Hayley Munt set up Sophie Miller to shoot, the GK saved well, but Chloe Lyons slotted in the rebound.

Henley used the confidence from the goal to push up the pitch and put some lovely passing moves together. One such slick move down the right saw Sophy Rogers find Chloe Lyons in the D who turned and hit home the second.

Now it was all about the brilliance of Henley’s midfield and defence, as Bicester spent the rest of the game relentlessly pushing for goals. Approximately 17 short corners were conceded, and special mention needs to go to Kirsten, Giorgia and Goalkeeper Ela Chamberlain for somehow keeping the sheet clean with just the three of them, after two defenders had been sent to the halfway line for infringements. Flat stick tackles and timely clearances were the main feature of the game, and everyone showed the grit and determination required to get the job done. Bicester did force a goal home with ten minutes to go, but Henley hung on for the win, extending their lead at the top of the league as other results went their way.

Man of the match was goalkeeper extraordinaire Ela Chamberlain, who made too many saves to count!