Today’s game was a hastily arranged friendly against the one team that’s pipped us so far this season and started with an appropriate moment of applause to remember Mick Hodgson – a club legend who’ll be sadly missed by us all at Mellor Lacrosse Club.

With Fredrick taken poorly, but in no way linked to the incessant flashing of festive lights at his bedroom window, we were missing a few others with Christmas fast approaching but, so were Timperley.

The game got off to a good start with goals from George, Josh, Jack, Jamie (2) and James Kennedy firing us into a 6-1 lead at quarter time.

Jake Fell stepped into nets and did a sterling job all day despite preferring to use his knees to save shots! He stood up brilliantly all day in front on a strong defence with James Smith looking really accomplished on the ball alongside Noah, Robbie and the ever-mobile Will.

Finn got on the score sheet early in Q2 before Josh fired Number 8 in a move reminiscent of how we can move the ball when we’re on our game. With Timperley finding their feet, even with some of their own key players missing, the quarter ended 10-4 to Mellor.

Our attack was more on their game too with much more movement and aggression from Jack, Josh, Miles and Finn throughout the game. Sam had a good game on face off ,and throughout midfield, and was unlucky not to score following several well worked opportunities. Q3 was all Mellor with goals from Josh (2), Jamie (3), Jack and Finn although we seemed to back off in the final period with some excellently worked goals from Timperley's No 33 and ever-present Jim Hartley. Final score 18-8

Big thanks to Timperley for hosting both our U12 and 14s on the day that they also had their club Christmas party and to Phil Hartley for giving the boys chocolates at full time – a nice touch and much appreciated by our lads.

A nice way to end the calendar year and good to see a bit of fluidity across the team in the last 2 games – have a good rest over Christmas and come back fired up for the 4th Jan. We look to be improving at the right time of the season and great to see a real team performance today. When we get to put out a team at anywhere near full strength we’ll be a good match for anyone in the final months of the season.