On a brilliantly bright Spring afternoon, glory opened its doors for the Loughts Men's 4s, as they set out to claim the league title that they had worked so hard throughout the season for. With Crostyx 3s the latest side looking to derail our date with destiny, and break our unbeaten record in the process, the team were equally excited and nervous to secure the win (well, technically point) we needed to call ourselves champions.

With this momentous occasion clear in our minds, Captain Rob made sure to keep us focused on the task at hand, with a pre-match chat that centred on remaining calm on the ball and working no less than we have for each other across the season. If we stuck to our style of play - moving the ball quickly, creating spaces and being decisive in attack - then come the end of the match, we would surely get that decisive win.

As the sun shone down on both teams, and the whistle was blown for the first time, our race entered its final home straight. We started the match well enough, looking to move the ball well, and opening up the Crostyx defence on a few occasions. However, as the next 70 minutes would pan out, this contest was far from a foregone conclusion. As the minutes of the first half ticked by, the home team grew more confident and arguably created the more threatening attacks. Fortunately for us, they were unable to effectively convert any of their good openings, and this allowed us to stay in the match without being behind. With a changed side themselves, Crostyx used the pace of their debut youngsters to great advantage, often splitting us open in midfield. Although, with an experienced backline of JP, Captain Rob, Oli and Sean, they found no way through. Tom was in goal for us today and was solid in anything he had to deal with too. We also welcomed back Chris after a season-long injury absence, and in fact, he actually played as if he had been playing all 'season-long'. As the scoreline remained the same heading into halftime, there was just enough time for the team to pick up our level again and stretch into a 2-goal lead. Firstly, as the half-hour mark arrived, we won a short corner. Having his initial shot blocked, Dan collected the ball once more to fire the ball home, arrowed down to the Crostyx keeper's right before he knew anything about it. A few minutes later, we doubled our lead from another penalty corner. This time, Sean sent the ball out to Richard who sent a shot of his own towards goal. Though it didn't find any corner of the net, its power and sheer willingness to go in was enough to beat the home keeper. 2-0. In a blink of an eye, we were ahead, and 35 minutes from victory.

The halftime conversation was one of reflection and relief as the team knew we had not played well for large parts of the match so far, though we still found ourselves ahead. With Captain Rob and Richard leading the encouragement, we were able to reset and prepare to go again once more.

If there is one thing that can be said of this side, it is that we are creatures of habit. As the second half began, we picked up our play as we had done earlier, moving the ball much better and looking for a third goal. However, in contrast to earlier, when Crostyx found their feet again, this time, they were able to take one of their chances. Instead of being beaten by their pace, as 45 minutes went by, they pulled a goal back after some rather calamitous defending allowed their striker the freedom of the 'D'. Obliging fully to this offer, he did not hesitate to slam the ball past Tom. 2-1. Nothing comes easy for us. The rest of the half saw a much scrappier game develop, with both teams looking to get the next goal. Luckily for us, the next (and final) goal of the match would fall to us.

Now, in the ranks of attacking players we have had the blessing of playing with this season, there is one that has had to bide his time to get in on the action further up field, since his first assist of the season way before Christmas. Usually leading the team from the back, it was our very own Captain that found his way high on the right this time and received the ball from myself. Set within the meet of the base and side lines, he looked up, and across goal. Then with the assurance of an experienced forward, hurtled the ball (David Beckham-esque) inside the 'D'. After a few touches, the ball looped up, waiting (inviting even) for someone to deal the killer blow. Having found himself in a prime position to provide this, Connor activated his own inner Cristiano Ronaldo, and leapt like a salmon to dunk the ball home. Michael Jordan would have definitely been proud of that leap, giving Connor his eighth goal of the season too. 3-1. Some breathing space. Even though we did not really take hold of the match from this point on, Crostyx did not take advantage of this fact either. And so, the remaining minutes were lost to a rather dis-jointed contest.

... 68. 69. 70 minutes were up ... and we had done it! The Men's 4s were deserving League Champions with 2 games to spare, and could now look forward to moving up on the back of an outstanding season so far.

MoM on this special week went to Oli for his awesome performance, thwarting the best efforts of the pacey Crostyx forwards on multiple occasions. A performance fit for any championship-winning day. Very well done Oli. DoD this week went to Fonz, for bringing his 'hole-in-the-stick' magic trick for us all to see again, though with as much limited success as last time. I think you need some more work on your act Fonz. Special mentions on this special day first find its way to Dev, who now will unfortunately miss the rest of the season but still came to support the team today. With the team stretching next to the car park pre-match, we all looked up to find ourselves in the presence of a seriously suave and dapper young man, complete with shades. Apparently, his private jet had just been parked on a private airfield somewhere nearby. Secondly, to Mike, this time more positively, for generously bringing his camera to take the photos attached to this report, for us. Many thanks Mike. However, as is customary nowadays, he was also nominated for DoD for his nomination of Dev for that award, and also for disrupting his wife's birthday weekend to win the league with us this week. That is just not on Mike. Anyhow, thirdly to JP for providing the celebratory champagne to be sprayed during the photo-taking. Although, in terms of his own match performance, the less said about some of his aerials today, the better, I think. Sorry JP. And finally, how could I forget about our stalwart at the back, who was making both his debut and return to the side this season. Thank you Chris for joining us to win the league, after conveniently missing the heavy lifting of the rest of the season. Now, I must also mention the disliking to Andrew's shins you made clear to us all, when you rifled the ball onto them, giving Crostyx another short corner opportunity. Though, it was still good to have you back Chris, even if only for a few matches now.

Seventeen wins from eighteen, sixty-nine goals scored, fifty-two points secured. The Loughts Men's 4s got the result they needed (just about), to win the league after 18 matches. With our final matches left being against, arguably, the 2 toughest teams in the league, we still need to be on high alert if we want to earn promotion - not just as Champions, but as Invincibles. That would sound nice, wouldn't it? Plenty of work left for us to do for that honour though. However, in the mean time, very well done fellow champions, and as always, let's keep rolling.

Old Loughts Men's 4s Key Stats so far this Season

Goals scored: 69
Goals against: 12
Goal scorers: Dan 14, Richard 13, Sam 10, Luke and Connor 8, Jordan 5, JP and Ryan 3, Andrew and Josh 2, Dev 1
Assists (incomplete): Fonz 8, Connor and Dan 6, Mike 5, Richard and JP 4, Jordan, Andrew, Ryan, Captain Rob, Sean all with 2, Mathuran, Josh, Dev with 1
Clean sheets: 9 (18 games played)
Short corner conversion rate: 28/104 roughly (26.92%)
MoM: Connor, Luke, Ryan, Richard and Oli all with 2 - Josh, Will, Harrison, Sean, Barney, Jordan, Dan and Dev all with 1
DoD: Dev and Captain Rob 3, JP 2, Dan, Will, Sean, Mathuran, Luke, Ryan, Mike, Andrew, Connor, Fonz, Virtue all on 1