Following a slow start to thes eason, with a cancellation the first weekend of term, there was an air of excitement on the middle astro as the crisp mist descended for the highly anticipated final match slot.

The opening encounters indicated that it was going to be a tighly fought afternoon. Neither side looked totally rust-free, following a long off-season. That said, at times there was some sublime hockey being layed, from both sides.

Radley took the lead, following a period of rather intense period of Tonbridge pressure at the other end of the pitch. G Cadbury Gosling, finding himself in space at the top of the 'D' and without a moment hestiation, calmly slapped the ball under an outstrecthed keeper into the backboard.

It was to be a day, characterised by attack and counter-attack. Indeed, Tonbridge equalised towards the end of the first half, following a moment of mild panic at the back.

Into the second half though, both sides were reluctant to give too much away. The Radley defence grew in confidence and the game was opening up as legs started to tire. But then a moment of sustained pressure in the Tonbridge half, led to a lovely period of inter-play from the back through midfield and into attack. The resulting play left a close finish for B Wateridge to effortlessly see away the match-winning goal.

A tense final five minutes, with both sides desperate for an outcome. But Radley managed to hold-out and came away with a gritty 2-1 victory.