After the deluge came the acid test. Bourne had beaten us on the opening day of the season and a sixteen man Hambledon squad turned up on Sunday full of confidence, looking to turn the tables on the league leaders.

In the end, we couldn't quite do it, and we slipped to a narrow defeat against a team who will be there or thereabouts come May. So close but still so far......

We started up the hill and into the wind, with Parker losing his 25th coin toss on the bounce. Bourne took the game to us, settling marginally the better, but other than a few half chances, didn't really threaten Dave despite some lovely interplay down the flanks. We gradually grew into the game, with James in particular fashioning a number of half chances on the break, however we couldn't quite capitalise on his enterprising wing play.

At the back, Shane was having a storming game at right back and Tom in particular was playing like a lion at centre half, to frustrate the fabled Bourne attack at every opportunity. It was unfortunate therefore that he had to go off shortly before half time, having injured BOTH hamstrings.

Pete came on and slipped seamlessly into the back line but disaster struck when we failed to clear a corner in the 43rd minute, which was poked home at the far post.

Still, our spirits were only momentarily dampened and we redoubled our efforts in the second half, full of belief and purpose. Carlo replaced Barnes down the right, who was feeling unwell, and we looked the better side for the early exchanges, without ever quite convincing.

Parker had a goal somewhat dubiously disallowed for offside on the hour, but In fairness to the referee, he blew even before the keeper flapped at the free kick under pressure from nick and, somewhat surprisingly, Cafu. By this time, tempers were fraying on both sides and the game was getting niggly as Bourne became increasingly rattled.

Despite further injuries to Jim and Shane which meant we kept having to shuffle the defence, we kept knocking on the door, with Cosser glancing a header just wide from a lovely cross from Alan L, and a series of other half chances not quite falling.

From the sidelines towards the end, we began to lose our shape and although the desire was there in abundance, we didn't quite have the guile to break down Bourne's resolute backline. As we have seen in two games now, they are very good at protecting a lead. In the end, it was not to be and we left Frensham Rec, somewhat unfortunately, empty handed.

Next up- Ropley away in the cup. We are looking a bit thin here, particularly with Sunday's injuries, so please do commit if you possibly can.

MOTM: James- fantastic wing play all game. Tom and Shane in the running as well.