After a not so successful history with Badminton, with previous matches ending up with injuries, we knew what we faced. With the newly promoted team seeming to be both intimidating but friendly, we knew that it would be a good challenge, but who doesn't like a good challenge! With a mix of 'old', new and vixens as our starting line up, we felt confident that we would put up a good fight, and produced a fight that was more entertaining and nail biting than a fight between Rocky Balboa and Muhammad Ali.

From push back there was high energy from the forwards to gain an advance at goal, only to be hindered by the Badminton midfields who seemed ridiculously blonde and equally as fast. However with some teasing skills from young Lauren Jones that made the rest of us blush, there wasn't much progress for them. After some minutes, Badminton seemed to have intercepted the ball again and showed us their passing skills by advancing dangerously close to our D, with tackles from Jennie Cruickshank and Joely Brewer, but was no match for Badminton's determination to score, resulting in a goal.

After this Badminton managed two more goals, within a very short space of time, dampening our moods and motivation. All but the midfields, resulting in a spirit lifting goal from Abby Ellis. With not much longer of the second half left, the fight to keep the ball away from our D was adrenaline pumping with great tackles from Jessica Fisher, Ming Green and Ellie McAllistar, only to be picked up by another Badminton player who played a nifty shot on goal, leading to a 4-1 lead by the end of half time.

Captain Victoria McCuaig gave a tough love half time speech with comments from senior advisors, supporters and recovering players Corina Whitear and Lucy Waite which provided us with the motivation and drive to pull this back. As soon as the whistle blew Skipper VMc was providing a terrier like annoyance to the Badminton midfields and forwards with interceptions and passes that would have made Andy Bethal smile. With multiple shots on goal and nothing materialising, desperation started to set in, only to lead to a short corner to us. With a crackin' injection from centre back Ming Green, the chances seemed promising. Deflections off of the keepers pads, meant the opportunity was stumped, however we didn't just give up with a push of adrenaline we managed to produce a satisfying goal.

With the new sense of determination lingering on the Blues two more goals were produced from shining star Izzy Grimes meant that our figures now showed that we had equalised with Badminton. This, however, meant that Badminton came back at us with fists swinging (not literally) causing a strain on the Blue defenders leading to another goal to Badminton scored by skimming past goalie Alicia Garside's left foot into the corner. But we did not throw in the towel, oh no. We pulled our socks up and with some silky passes by Corinne Gibson, Tarragon Newcombe and Judy Collins meant that Badminton was chasing after their tails and giving us a chance to gain another short corner. This resulted in another tear inducing goal from Izzy Grimes, bringing us back to equal grounds with Badminton.

As time seemed to be on our side, the Blues and Badminton played a resemblance of ping pong, with great skills and interceptions from both teams, leading us to believe that we were on good ground of leaving with a draw. Our hopes were shattered by a flukey 'scoop' goal (also known as a flick, but resembled more of a piece of frozen ice cream being flung off a spoon). After this, Wotton fought back with all they had, trying desperately to get back to equal numbers, but knowing time was running out very quickly. Try after try, only led to near goals and tense moments, only to hear to final whistle blown with a score of 6-5 to Badminton. A devastating loss, but one hell of a show and the amount of absolutely mind blowing skills demonstrated on the pitch only left room for feelings of proudness and a chip butty!