Match Report by Robin Tullo

Wet and windy in Luton – no problem. Not a full complement with flu striking two of selected team but high hopes more than justified by a first half with lots of development passing between young and older. A first strike for a Luton when no one was sure who was going to clear the line was swiftly matched by a well worked equaliser for Peter Roughton.

The middle was held together by Anthony Spencer and Mark Mather and Luke the younger Mather found space all over, with forward moving energy coming from the wily Luke Collier and incomparable Peter Roughton.  Nigel Dixon was an ace in goal. 1-1 half time.

The sun came out and with it on our backs we felt cosy and warm but Luton decided to turn the heat on and though valiant defence and a committed contribution from Kieran Slorach with the best weighted cross eluding Chris Gerrard the team was soon down 1-3. Leon Flack and Giles Weblin continued to clear the lines, Nigel Dixon and Spencer-Knott excelled in goal and defence respectively, but two more goals were shipped and Southgate ended on the wrong side of 1-5. But not dispirited as Luton were a good side and the M8s played some good hockey.

Their ‘clubhouse’ is now the welcoming British Legion in Luton and a friendly post-match session proved we were the winners as we were the last to leave!