Water, Wonder strikes and Wholly Wally

To kick us off in the right order, Fairbrother’s fun fact of the week. In what year was the first Wimbledon held?

Leicester are familiar faces or shall we say foes, to the mighty pinks. With two narrow wins last season going their way (and the i word), Sutton were out for revenge.

Faced with a tricky warm-up plan the team adpated to this alongside a waterlogged new Leicester pitch and a rubber crumb warm up space. Anything Leicester threw at them they handled, with extra smiley faces for the camera. Despite some friendly fire in the warm-up, Sutton were ready and as soon as the first whistle went they stepped up.

Leicester started putting some early pressure on but the holes were clear from early on. Ball pace was key and the transfers round the back were flying. The home side seemed to keep winning the ball back deep in their own 23 so it was time for some magic. And manning provided. An overhead to Susan, laid off to the forwards, Mezza baseline carry, slip across goal for BP to poach backpost. 1-0. And unlike last year this counted.

Buoyed by the lead and gained control Sutton pushed on. McCabe was up next on the score sheet with a rocket reverse off a Mollie controlled play. Mollie continued to run rings around everyone, multiple times, dominating the game.

And then… the moment that shocked everyone. After a string of penalty corners. Sutton had another. The team set up. Plan in place. A goal would take them 3-0 up at half time. They were ready. Injection. Shot. Deflection. Goal. And who scored I hear you ask… MANNING! In the right end! No-one has even seen such pure joy then that moment.

So half-time. 3-0. Everyone playing well, battling hard. Things were looking strong.

Second half starts and the same intensity carries through. BM became the wall, unpassable. Nicky Dean dominated the right hand side. EP was back at it with reverse stick blocks. ET was controlling passes all over. Vicks was creating gaps with her silky skills.

But it was Florence who started the next move, laying the ball off, winning it back, sending BP on her way to cross for a worldie deflection from Freya to make it 4-0. Freya then returned the favor not too longer later for BP to take her second of the day, making it 5-0.

Everyone continued to work hard with smiles on their faces and Leicester were deflating by the minute. They had the odd glimmer of hope through a quick counter, but Batsford shut down any chances.

The sixth came from newbie Eloise with a reverse of her own set up by all the Ms: Moore, McCabe, and Mezza. Mollie was probably in there too she was everywhere on Saturday. Her work rate and effort and attitude phenomenal.

Leicester managed to get one back off a PC with not much time left on the clock but the game was done. Three points secured.

POM was unsuprisingly Mollie. DOD was BM for her misinterpretation of wholly on the carpark signs. And the answer to Fairbrother's fun fact was 1877. Next week Sutton host Ben Rhydding for another battle.