Keep it in the family
This week we bring you five match reports in one, don’t ever say I don’t spoil you! We start with the headline writers - the selection that set a new record of three sets of siblings the Davis’ (Danny and Wayne), the Cromptons (Dušan and Ilija) and the Dorringtons (Owen and Gethin) joined by senior Dorrington Alun in the line up versus Colchester. The champagne must have been flowing as the team never settled against the Essex boys and the party cheer was somewhat dented by an 18-8 loss in the opening game of the NCWPL weekend. The celebrations must have continued as we unfortunately lost Anthony and Wayne to illness overnight.
What a difference a day makes
I don't know whether if it was the Irn Bru, Red Bull or the double espresso but whatever the hangover cure was it worked and Sunday’s match against a Croydon side packed with Balkan influence was a brilliant team performance. Slipping behind early on could have dented the Saxons’ confidence but they exuded a calm confidence and went toe to toe with the strong south Londoners and with the game poised at 7-7 with five mins remaining, they finished the stronger to take a well-deserved 10-9 victory.

On a roll
Monday night and a short hop to Barnet for the third game in three days against Enfield in the London League. Confidence buoyed by the previous day’s victory, the Saxons never looked troubled after leading 4-1 at the end of Q1 and eased to a 12-8 victory and with a buzz in the air proving winning is a habit

Iron sharpens iron
After taking in the broad, leafy boulevards of Basildon on route for the Friday night's lights game v Colchester, where to begin in reporting on this match?! Only seven days had passed since a heavy loss against the same opponents and travelling with no goalkeeper and just 11 players. Danny Davis was the senior pro at 23 years old, the rest of the team were 18 and under. The Essex boys obviously expected the floodgates to open. The now battle harden team, some playing the fifth game in a week had different ideas and opened a two goal lead. More reminiscent of a 1990s England v Wales rugby match Colchester tried to make use of their weight advantage however Bailey had a new pupil in the Hillingdon based ‘Safe hands’ school of goalkeeping. Step up ‘Double D’ Davis who set the tone with a defiant display between the sticks in Q4 with red cards flying and a mouthwatering final quarter comeback by the Saxons. they were unlucky to lose 10-9. Move over the Thrilla in Manila you might want to book your seats now, as there is a third encounter v Colchester due to be played on the 5th February at Habs and it looks set to be a lively encounter. You will not want to miss this one!

The Grand finale
Sport throws up some monumental rivalries; England v Australia, Arsenal v Tottenham and Wigan v St Helens but nothing compares to Watford v Penguin. It seems unfair to praise individual players when the whole team performed magnificently for three quarters. However, John Pickford gave a peerless show at both ends of the pool. His talismanic captain’s performance inspired the team. After conceding first, the Saxons hit back twice with two minutes of Q1 remaining to take a lead that they never surrendered. They looked to have the better of this Penguin team taking an 11-6 lead into the final quarter. The Penguin coaches finally changed tact and playing through their front man they started to get rewards for their efforts but with too big a deficit to truly trouble Watford who were able to close out the fifth game in thirteen days with a well-deserved win.
Next up: Colchester Wednesday 5th Febuary at Habs 8pm, only a few ringside seats left. You definitely want to be able to say you were there!