MATCH DAY 3/1

A sharper, more evenly contested match this week as slowly, but surely, the WSS all-stars return to full strength.

Even a light snow and a biting wind couldn't sour an enjoyable clash with the Blue team stepping up their game and (probably) winning by a one or two.

The big differences between this week's Blues and last week's was the return of Doug in goal and Mark in the middle of the field. Doug made the plentiful saves he had to make look easy, even tipping certain goals over the bar, while Mark ran and drove for goal while tracking back to deal with the White threat in equal measure.

There were a few niggling battles born from frustration and some physical challenges, but that can't take away from some fine Blue performances. Keith and Bobby in particular looked far more comfortable knowing Doug was taking his familiar sweeper/goalkeeper stance behind them and Keith added some surging runs up the left wing and even a rare goal. Rocco and Frank got plenty of the ball on the Blue wings and Vince added strength and guile to the forward line.

The Whites stuck to what they do best, with Mo, Ed and Dan threading balls through with some success. Doug snapped up a lot of them, and Joe got stuck in when needed, but the strikers couldn't take their chances as they had done last week. Keeble in particular hit 90% of his shots straight at Doug's chest, with 9% dribbling high and wide (and one going in.) Scott P was also a big influence on the right making some telling passes into the box and drawing markers wide to let Mo and Dan cash in. Steve was also quick off his line in the White goal and made a big difference in keeping the game tight.

The scoreline is vague. It seemed the Blues restarted more than the Whites, but those who were paying some attention to the score seemed to agree the Blues snuck it. Either way, we're back in business and will keep coming back as long as the snow stays the **** off our field.

MAN-OF-THE-MATCH - DOUG (Blue): Even by his standards, a fine return

FINAL SCORE: Blues 6 Whites 5... something like that.