The boys gathered on a beautifully cold but crisp morning for the most highly anticipated fixture of the season so far, away at Cheadle for a top of the table clash.

Cheadle started well, their strong and talented #19 winning the first face off and scoring straight away. Mellor were soon two down as #19 scored again and we knew we were in a real battle. Charlie struck back, and then Cam scored after a solo run and we were back in it at 2 - 2. Cheadle took the lead - again through #19 and then Cheadle got another, and we were 2 down again. Nice groundball from Sammy and through to score meant we were losing 4 - 3 at the end of Q1.

Mellor started the second quarter well. Seb scores after a nice team move, Dyl got another following a Mellor time out and Charlie scored after a nice groundball pick up. Mellor were now ahead by two and were starting to motor. However, Cheadle were just too good to let the game get away from them, and they scored twice to make it honours even at half time. This was turning into a really good tight game that could go either way.

Into the third quarter and Cheadle started well. We were struggling with the sheer physicality of the larger Cheadle players and losing face-offs. Daniel was making some good saves but we were giving possession back to Cheadle far too easily and making life difficult for ourselves as were we trying to get the ball out of defence. Cheadle scored three goals and we were flagging. Miles got one back direct from a face-off and Charlie got another but we were one down going into the last quarter.

Miles equalised early in Q4 and it was all to play for. But Cheadle kicked into gear again, with 19 pulling the strings as usual and went ahead by three with a few minutes to go. A last effort by Mellor saw Charlie and Sammy score and we were one down with a minute to play. A draw wasn’t to be though as we lost the last face off and Cheadle won by two.

All in all a really good close game and no shame in losing to a good Cheadle side. We will bounce back and learn from the defeat - the team are already looking forward to the return home fixture.