Andrew Bromley reports: "The M3 (Boulders) took on EG M3 in the final league match of the year, with the visitors having only lost two of their 10 matches (vs table toppers South Saxons and Crawley). We knew we were in for a tough game!

Thankfully we welcomed back familiar faces as well as new players Paddy T and Dermot the dog juggler.

After some James Harvey-inspired Xmas DnB, we took to the field with a strong 15 players, weakened only by Balsa-wood Bromley who was back in the pads (through lack of supply rather than demand!)

Taking control of the match early, the Boulders played their passing hockey and were quickly ahead. We swiftly scored our second and were in complete control.

After a brain fade by a Boulder defender (not getting 5m on an attacking free hit) EG were awarded a corner and converted it. Sadly Bromley was too busy doing an impression of the Australian Olympic breakdancer to boot the drag flick away, which went straight down the middle of the goal. D'oh!

Half time and we focussed on better transferring, better pressing and strategic aerials.

The second half kicked off and thankfully, B-Road had been to the gym and chucked a Garryowen style aerial, which caught a gust in the upper stratosphere and bounced over the last EG defender's head (as Bromley had predicted). Assist credited to Storm Darragh! Luckily for us 'Nimcredible' had been listening to old-codger Bromley rambling on at half time and slipped in behind to nudge the ball over the on-rushing GK. Goal of the season contender.

A break down in the BHHC circle after a few EG pcs led to a tidy finish from an EG player, before we barrelled up the opposite end and scored another.

Final score 4-2 to Sussex's premier hockey club. Scorers Nim, Chris Page, Jacob Young and Woody. A cracking post-match spread was put on, including a Vegan five-bird roast, 11 pipers piping and plenty of figgy pudding. Captain Theo proposed a toast to the Boulders before a final 2024 vote for the DoD beret.

Somehow Bromley swerved this, as Mylo had got in the festive mood early and won a green triangle Quality Street from the umpire. MoM was a dead heat between Nim (Nirmaan Mudher) and Jacob Young. JY won the vote and celebrated with the customary six mince pie gobble-off. Many a jug was consumed, seeing the first half of the 2024 season completed in festive fashion!

Other results

BHHC 2s 2 Reigate Priory 1s 3
BHHC 4s 0 Worthing 2s 2
St Francis 1s 2 BHHC 5s 1
BHHC 6s 0 Crowborough 1s 4
BHHC 7s 1 Mid Sussex 4s 1
BHHC 8s 4 Crowborough 3s 0
Crawley 3s 8 BHHC 9s 0
Eastbourne 4s 5 BHHC 10s 0 (walkover)