On a weekend when storm Callum had been battering the UK, another storm was about to erupt on the Chew Valley School astro pitch.

North Somerset were the visitors to Mendip, and started the game with some fantastic hockey.

With some swift interplay and lots of movement on and off the ball, it came as no surprise that North Somerset were a goal to the good in the opening minutes.

Unfortunately for Mendip, the first half followed the same vein throughout, and although chances were created, the ball just wouldn’t go in for Mendip.

North Somerset had a very effective short-corner routine, which most teams would find difficult to defend. Even with Mendip goalie, Oenone Bodman-Harris, throwing everything she had at their main striker, as well as being awarded Player of the Match, three more goals were hit past the keeper to make it a convincing 4-0 score line at half-time.

Jackie Browning must have used the Alex Ferguson hair dryer treatment during her half-time team talk, as Mendip emerged in the second half as a different animal. Communicating, supporting players and movement into space was very impressive!

As a result of Mendip being on the front foot, more and more, they finally got a breakthrough with a well-deserved goal by Connie Glover. This bred confidence throughout the team, whilst entertaining the spectators too.

The rise in tension between the sides was evident, with North Somerset arguing amongst themselves as well as with the officials whilst Mendip struck again.

The second goal came with a mix of a great team build-up and good positioning by Ella Constable. Mendip’s confidence grew as they were passing the ball round well, and started to believe that they could maybe snatch a draw.

Shortly after followed an eye-catching through-ball from a Mendip defender, one of the strikers found herself one-on-one with the keeper, but on this occasion, she couldn’t convert the chance.

With tempers continuing to rise in the last third of the game, the umpires had to step in and calm the situation down. In the next session of play, North Somerset scored most probably the best goal of the game.

This seemed to break Mendip Ladies’ momentum, and North Somerset took pride in their win, with their possession and skill-play becoming even greater, resulting in two more goals to run out deserved winners.

Despite having to accept a loss, Mendip will learn from their mistakes and move forward into their next matches with even more determination to win.

Ella Constable