3's started the 2nd half of the season on a freezing morning when wind chill reduced temperatures to around -3ºc
Despite this Ops started strongly, pinning the visitors into their half, and winning a succession of penalty corners. Baxter saw her lob brilliantly tipped over the bar, while Polly's rocket strike hit a Burnt Ash foot, securing another corner. Unfortunately Polly's mistimed pass to Baxter foiled Ops opportunity for a shot on goal, and this was very much how the game went - well meaning passes falling short of precision, thus turning over to the opposition. Burnt Ash tried to play on the break, and Ailla made a fine double save to keep the game in the balance. Sophie linked with Dani, who raced clear and played a perfect square pass into the D but nobody managed to apply the finishing touch. Moments later, Janman released Izzy to sprint into a near identical position with the same result. A great pass from Sophie saw Emm make a dash for the D on the right of the pitch, beating the Burnt Ash defender, leaving only the keeper to beat. Izzy was on the left, joining the attack. It looked like a sure goal, but Emm smashed the ball wide of Izzy's reach and the ball went over the sideline and back into Burnt Ash's possession.

With a 0-0 at half time, Ops had opportunity to turn things around but they were just not their usual selves today. The pace was upped in the second half, Geds and Emma pushed up to join the attack and even Shaz popped up in the D to win a penalty corner. But the final ball was, all too often, going astray while the visitors defending was tenacious. A loose pass gave the ball to Burnt Ash, who found their way into the D. A reasonable push at the goal created some confusion in defence and the ball found its way over the line, leaving Ops one nil down.

Ops continued to press but again couldn't finish. Carris weaved her way towards goal win yet another penalty corner but Em saw her effort deflect onto the bar. With time running out Phoebe ran almost the length of the pitch to try and create something, but once again, the Burnt Ash defence held firm.

So a first defeat of season, and Ops face a challenging trip to high flying Maidstone next week.