Ops needed at least a draw to secure promotion but faced a potential banana skin in a New Beccs side requiring a point to guarantee their place in this league next season. That meant an uncharacteristically nervous start from the visitors, and it quickly became apparent that the hosts had been bolstered by a number of players returning from university. Ops struggled to find their usual fluent passing game and some unnecessarily aggressive umpiring didn't help. Geds stayed calm amid the chaos and shut down the hosts left winger, while Emma, despite being on the receiving end of some questionable decisions, continued to show why she is such a highly rated young defender. Izzy, who has become central to 3's attacking game, pounced on a loose ball and beat her defender to set up Em who showed great composure to cut inside and force a good save. Carris showed all her skills to beat two players then slip the ball to Phoebe who outpaced the defence and played a perfect square pass which agonisingly evaded Janman. Just before half-time, Ops took the lead from a penalty corner, Baxter brilliantly lobbing the keeper from the edge of the D.

So, 3's were leading at half time despite being far below their best. Time for some half time Jelly Babies (thanks to Ron) and a formation change to try and nullify the New Beccs press. Polly dropped into midfield and immediately provided more stability and control with her peerless stick skills. That meant Sophie pushed higher and was able to use her pace and vision more effectively. Flick, who has been a
revelation this season, wasn't fazed by the tough tackling hosts and was constantly threatening on the break. Time passed and nerves grew, with further controversial decisions reducing Ops to 10. Ailla, surely a future 1st XI keeper, dived to keep out a fierce strike, then quickly regained her feet to complete the clearance. As the game became increasingly bad tempered, Shaz showed all her experience to intercept and then move the ball wide to Sienna, who demonstrated her potential by playing a perfect pass to Dani, a constant goal threat, only to see her effort cleared off the line. With time running out the hosts converted penalty corner to level but neither team could find a winner.
The result meant that 3's have been promoted into division 2, and after finishing 9th last year it is all credit to Captain Polly for turning this team into serial winners who lost only two games all campaign. New challenges await next season but now let the celebrations begin!