The korfball gossip wheel was in full swing this week as Mitcham took on Nottingham at Trinity for the return match of the season. However; Mitcham, unlike some other teams in the HSKL, were not about to underestimate a Nottingham side that without many of the missing students came 2nd last year and has one of the biggest and most experienced squads in the country.

Mitcham knew they would have to perform to their very best to seal a win. Mitcham started with Ross Bower (C), Dean Woods, Carina Lamelas and Helen West in first attack. Nottingham sent Cris Lanting, Andrew Barkwith, Amy Turner and Aimee Evans to defend them.

In first defence for the team in green were John Taylor, Craig Gosling, Kathryn Ayres and Emmelien Van der Scheer who were pitted against Ben Nickerson, Rob Mann, Hannah Lorrimer and Lucy Silitto.

The match got off to a flying start with Lamelas converting her first shot of the game from distance. Nickerson then equalised for Nottingham with a well executed long shot of his own. Mitcham applied full pressure in defence with Bower not letting the ever dangerous Lanting out of his sight, Woods dominating the rebound and West charged with controlling ex-Mitcham player and England international Evans. The whole section communicated brilliantly and Notts soon began to panic as they were repeatedly buzzed out by the shot clock.

Down the other end the section of Taylor, Gosling, Ayres and Van der Scheer were moving the ball with purpose and not only creating chances but converting them. Taylor stepped up and scored a fantastic goal turning from the feed, showing the creativity in Mitcham's play.

Mitcham were soon 4-1 up and were searching for that crucial fifth goal. Mitcham looked like a team completely in control while Nottingham were running out of ideas as the Mitcham defence piled the pressure on. Bower was in commanding shooting form, scoring from all over the court, skilfully assisted by West and Lamelas. Turner versus Lamelas was turning into an enticing contest with Lamelas creating penalties and free passes. Taylor was controlling the post but also coming out at the right times to take his own opportunities and was rewarded with two great goals. Van der Scheer was once again causing all sorts of problems for the oppositions defence, and Ayres added pace and control to the attack.

At the end of the first half Mitcham were up 9 goals to 2 and playing the best korfball they had played all year, and left the pitch to a raucous cheer from their supporters.

Coach Synott's instructions were very simple – continue to do exactly what you are doing! Mitcham started the second half full of confidence, while Nottingham tried to find a way to break down the Mitcham defence. Van der Scheer scored a trademark shot from distance to take the score to 10-2 before Andrew Barkwith had to retire from the game through illness. This left Nottingham with 7 players on the pitch and Bower's section attacking against 3. It took Mitcham a few minutes to readjust to playing against one less player, but soon Bower was once again displaying his shooting prowess by converting another shot from mid range. With a change of ends Mitcham were defending against three down one end and trying to smother the Nottingham attack. To Nottingham's credit, Lanting, Turner and Evans never gave up and continued to take the game to Mitcham working the ball around were rewarded with a well taken goal from Lanting under serious pressure.

The change in the game seemed to affect Mitcham more than it did Notts, as Taylor's section were unable to convert their chances. At times they seemed disconnected and with Van der Scheer recovering from foot injury were lacking the killer instinct to convert. Eventually a fortunate and uncharacteristic fumble from Woods at the rebound found Evans free from distance, and of course she converted with ease. Her goal even raised a cheer from the defending greenies as they ran back into attack for the first time after almost 20 minutes.

A running in shot from West and yet another goal for Bower signalled the end of the game with the final score line 16-6 in favour of Mitcham. Mitcham played with intensity, precision and passion, cheered on by an army of support they kept a very strong Nottingham team out of the game for a full 60 minutes. It was hugely unfortunate that Barkwith had to retire, but credit to Nottingham who continued to work hard and create chances through adversity showing that their depth in squad is incredible.

After the slip up the week before against Bec, Mitcham go into the last 3 games full of confidence but not complacent. Despite other teams best efforts to suggest otherwise, Mitcham won because they were the best team on the day, against a Nottingham team with 4 or more ex or current Internationals, and 6 out of 8 players who regularly play first team. Not bad for a team written off by many. Mitcham go into the end of their season fully focused.

Based on information supplied by Dean Woods.