First half demolision of Thame lift Men's 2s out of relegation zone.

South Berks Mens 2s got back to winning ways with an emphatic 8-0 win over 4th placed Thame.

Knowing only a win would keep them out of the relegation zone South Berks welcomed back a number of key players to bolster the ranks for a critical match in their fight for survival. With the two teams directly above them in the league playing each other South Berks knew a win would move them out of relegation and one step closer to safety.

With the instructions of high intensity ringing in their ears the team got off to a blistering start in front of the partisan crowd (big shout out to the men’s 1s for their support). Skipper Jack Baveystock, leading by example, capitalised on a high turnover and swept in reverse stick to start a goal scoring spree never before seen from the Men’s 2s.

Not wanting to give Thame any opportunity to settle and sniffing the opportunity for further goals, South Berks pressed forward. A flowing move ended with Paul Kaplanski grabbing his first of the game. Sensing blood the team continued with a high pressing game and Thame began to crumble under the black onslaught. Further goals from Jack and Paul sandwiched Kaya Campion's 2 goal burst, one of which, a sublime deft deflection through the Thame’s keeper’s legs had the crowd roaring their approval.

A converted penalty stroke from player coach Sean Hardingham gave South Berks an unassailable 7-0 lead at half time.

All the half time team talk said the right things, “we start again”, “it’s 0-0”, “don’t step off”, but it was inevitable that the second half would never live up to the first half performance. A combination of Thame playing a more organised and structured approach and South Berks taking their foot of the gas meant that goal scoring opportunities were few and far between.

It was left until the last 5 minutes for Paul Kaplanski to sweep in for his hat trick after good work from Tony Heaver down the right.

A great performance, the best of the season, a clean sheet and a much needed 3 points to lift the black and green out of the relegation zone. The team travel to fellow relegation battlers Windsor for the archetypal 6 pointer. Squeaky bum time!