The Badgers travelled to Yate with a record of played 2, won 2 so far this season, but without the inspiration of chief organiser Stuart Diesel and so the pressure was on even before the game started, to do Stuart proud.

At half - time this looked like a daunting task. The side were 2-0 down to a well organised Yate team, who, at the time, were playing the better hockey.

However, the team transformed their performance in the second half. With Nathan in goal, determined not to let in any further goals and Max Holland and Tom Bannister playing well in defensive positions which clearly they are more comfortable with, it gave the midfield and forwards more confidence to attack.  

After several close misses, Ton Hage pulled one back and shortly afterwards, George Wilshaw added a second to get the scores level. The badgers now had belief that they could win and further sustained pressures led to Dan Baker (captain for the day) adding 2 goals to double his tally for the season.

The final score was 4 - 2 victory. Credit must also be given to a good Yate side who played the game in the correct spirit and kept going until the final whistle.

There were excellent second half performances from the whole team, with Michael Hollingshead playing a pivotal role in midfield, enabling George Wilshaw, Matt Woods and Tom Mitchener the freedom to attach down the right.

Tom Hage was also starring at left midfield, providing an outlet for the defence and using the ball cleverly and effectively, constructing attacks on both the left and the right. Tom knew when to take a player on, when to switch the play to the right or when to slot a ball through to the attacking trio and for this performance he is our man of the match.

-- Mike