The second match of the season put us up against a team that not only play a fair game, but also happen to be one of the best laughs in the country - Newman's College, Birmingham - and that's why we like them! After a bit of a misunderstanding with nets, flags, jerseys and players, everyone managed to concentrate on the match and performed brilliantly. We played 11-a-side, which meant everyone had to work that little bit harder but everyone kept up the pressure and we succeeded in winning our second game of the season.

Everyone got a chance to show what they could do, with the forwards scoring numerous points each and the midfield and back lines keeping Newman from the posts on the few occasions they got near. The game ran well with referee Breda Travers being fair and consistent, and notable performances from everyone, with Fiona Magee, Claire McCullagh and Fiona McCarney being worthy of a particular mention.

After the match Newman had to play Hope, but with two of the Newman girls unable to play because of injuries picked up in the initial match, JMU and Newman joined forces to create a new deadly team 'Newman Moores' to face Hope, who were fielding 15 players anyway. The match was a good laugh, and even saw a 'Newman Moores' appearance from a JMU old girl (Breda Travers) who's defected to the darkside (Hope)!! All the girls worked well as a team, even though we didn't know each others names, and we had a good laugh too!!! The final score was irrelevant due to Newman giving the points to Hope before the match, because of us joining forces. It was a hard fought and tiring match with it being the second of the day, and everyone was glad when the final whistle went!

We then promptly headed off to the union for a few pints and more laughs with the Newman girls. We would like to say a big thanks to the girls for coming all the way up, and being so goodhearted about the initial delays. Thanks also to Hope for a good match. Well done to everyone who came along to support or play and thanks for the effort on the day, and the night that followed!! The next matches are after Christmas, with the remaining league games as our build-up for the British Championships, sometime in March.

(Leanne Tucker)