Driff 1s confirmed their place at the summit this weekend, sealing top spot in style and keeping the unbeaten season very much alive. With eyes now firmly set on finishing the campaign without a single loss, the squad delivered a performance full of energy, grit and plenty of goals (so many we genuinely lost count).

From pushback it was clear this would be a battle. Both sides moved the ball well, but Driff had the extra drive and control in possession. The forwards — Ato, Bry, Bron and Hannah — were causing chaos early, making sharp runs wide and along the baseline.

The breakthrough came when Bron attacked the baseline and won a foot in the D to set up a short corner. What followed was a thing of beauty: Bels with the slick drag flick, the keeper with the save, and Hannah H quickest to react to tap home the rebound.

1–0. Game on. Goal hunger activated.

Driff pushed for more, while Lindum looked to break. But Ash, Vicky, Em, Fi and Lara were having none of it. The defensive unit absorbed pressure calmly, and Lara — stepping up to the 1s — pulled off some outstanding saves to keep Driff ahead. Safe hands.

In midfield, Charlotte, Amber, Kate and Bella ran the show. Relentless tackles, sharp passing and tireless running kept play firmly in Driff’s attacking half. The reward came when Amber drove skilfully into the D and Bry applied the finish. Bry soon grabbed her second, meeting a perfectly weighted cross from Charlotte and sliding it around the keeper.

Lindum did manage to sneak one in at the far post just before half time, but spirits remained high.

Half-time fuel? Haribo, Squashies and jelly babies — elite athlete nutrition.

The second half started with real intent. And birthday girl Bry had clearly decided that hat-trick avoidance was not on the agenda this year. First, she pounced on a rebound with a lovely finish. Then a full-on scuffle on the line, Bry battling it through bodies and sticks to force it over the line. Not one. Not two. Four goals. A very happy birthday indeed.

There was drama at the other end too. On a short corner defence, we realised we needed one more back. Cue Fi running in asking, “Where’s my hat?” (We think she meant mask?) before confidently taking her place. She denied entry to goal with her foot — which is certainly one way to stop the ball finding the backboard — and then cleared the second attempt.

Midfield saw its own action. Bron channelled a player straight into Bella’s flat stick. Unfortunately, said opponent decided that if she couldn’t get around Bella, the next best option was kneeing her in the head. Bella soldiered on, later claiming a post-match pint cured the concussion (medical advice not officially endorsed).

As if that wasn’t enough, when Bella was busy skilfully taking the same defender apart down the line, the defender clearly realised she wasn’t getting near the ball. The only option left? Taking Bella’s legs. Despite that, Bella still managed to get the pass off to Bron, who slipped it on to Hannah at the top of the D — only to be denied by the keeper - good save from her.

Hannah had a great break, carving up multiple players at the top of the D to earn a short. Another short corner routine was executed to perfection. Kate injected to Charlotte at the top of the D, who returned it to the injector. Kate then swept it cleanly into the backboard. Textbook. Efficient. Beautiful.

Lindum decided on a box press, but Driff’s defence simply said “no thanks.” Calm transfers across the back, bounce passes through midfield, and sudden balls down the line completely bypassed the press. Composed, confident hockey.

By full time, there had been enough goals that even the scorers were struggling to keep track. The important stat? 102 goals scored so far this season.
Top of the league, unbeaten, and still hungry.

Honourable Mentions
* Bella – Last match today - Off to South Africa for three weeks ✈️?? We miss you already!
* Lara – Stepping up to the 1s and pulling off huge saves!
* Kate – Scorer of the team’s 100th goal of the season! Century secured.

A brilliant day of hockey, plenty of laughs, and another big statement from the 1s. Post-match pints definitely required. Match teas this week? A solid 8.5/10 - pizzas, garlic bread, and chips = a happy team.

Girlie: Bry

Donkey:Tuppers