Sils, still learning about life as a Development team in league hockey, but getting better every week, faced a similar looking Adders team, with plenty of youth on both sides.

The home team started the game with no keeper, and Ian Wilson did a perfect job as the last man, clearing the ball away on the two occasions he was called upon. Atherstone were causing problems with their skilful young forwards, but they could find no way past the strength and simple tackling of Mick Lane and Craig Ffitch, being provided excellent support by Alex Bowley and Kian Sohail as the two half-backs.

Logan Spain was working hard in the middle of the pitch and it was from one of is breaks that the opening goal game, slightly against the run of play, with Spain finding Kamraan Arastu down the left, who beat two players before firing the ball between his legs at the near post to beat the Adders keeper.

This caused the away team to raise their intensity, but some great defensive work for the next 10 minutes by the home team, who by now had seen reinforcements (including a GK) arrive, kept Atherstone out for most of the remainder of the half, but they did score a well worked goal, with an attack down the left pulling the Sils out of position before the centre forward found space in the D and was able to skilfully dance around Archie Tchakhotine in goal to equalise.

The second half was much the same as the first, with Atherstone dominating possession but the Sils defending resolutely, and looking dangerous on the break. Arastu almost scored a second, but only managed to hit the outside of the post as he raced through on goal under pressure from the visiting defence.

As it was it came down to some superb defending to keep the scores equal. First Alex Bowley cleared off the line, before Mick Lane deflected two Penalty corner shots wide of the goal, and then with 8 minutes to go a deflected shot was stopped on the line by Tony Dwyer's body. Up stepped up the Atherstone striker to take the stroke and Archie Tchakhotine stretched brilliantly to turn the short round the post.

Into the last minute of the game, and the Adders had two more penalty corners, but the defence stood firm, and secured their first draw, in their first ever season playing league hockey. Well done to everyone involved.