A cool wind gusted across Wycombe High's hilltop pitch as Maidenhead Ladies 5s assembled for the last match of the summer hockey season. Numbers boosted by honorary 5s Ruth, Ellie and Ellie, and Nehal joining us for her second 5s match, what we lacked in numbers (only 12) we made up for in determination to finish on a high.

We soon warmed up once the game began, with some promising early chances. The Wycombe team were fierce, with a very strong midfield and some brilliant runs up the right wing. Kirsty, Helen and Chloe in defence were working hard, supporting Kiera in goal make some magnificent saves. It was pretty even, with the ball ricocheting up and down the pitch. The was plenty of drama, with Wycombe having a goal disallowed after a dangerous ball, and the clock was ticking for half time when Ruth finally evaded the defenders and opened the scoring, putting Maidenhead in the lead just before the whistle blew.

The second half started strong, with centre forward Kacey taking a turn on the right wing whilst forwards Sienna and Ruth, and super sub Ellie, pounced on the defence and Ruth scored another fantastic goal. Feeling the match slipping away from them, Wycombe cranked it up and really tested the Maidenhead team. Midfielders Ellie, Holly and Nehal fought hard, with some strong tackles and brilliant steals, but Wycombe broke through and managed to thread a ball past Kiera and brought the score to 2-1. The pace didn't drop. Despite Captain Pippa intercepting balls from all angles, and Chloe, Helen and Kirsty valiantly clearing balls out wide, Wycombe crowded the D and the ball sneaked into the back of the net, bringing the score to 2-2, with only two minutes left to play.

At this point, with everything and nothing to lose, Maidenhead threw the kitchen sink at the offensive. Ruth, who had been bewildering the opposition with her speed and stick skills all game, was unable to make it a hat trick, Sienna made spectacular advances, Nehal drove up the wing, and both Ellie's pushed hard for the goal, but it was Holly appearing from nowhere on the left who walloped the ball into the backboard with a resounding thud, sealing the deal for Maidenhead seconds before the end of the match.

A 3-2 victory was the great result for a good-natured but challenging match, and a satisfying end to our fantastic summer hockey season. With four convincing wins out of five games, the 5s are in a great position heading towards the new season, when the newly promoted team will take on South Central Thames Women's Division 3 (first match 23rd September! Save the date!)