Saturday 17th July

D 1-1

11 tankards stand firm against Old Loughts Heat

Match Report by Jez Lavy

 “Phew what a scorcher”. We arrived at Old Loughts in time to see the girls squeak a narrow win in the match preceding ours.  As the team gradually assembled it became apparent that we were missing our captain Nigel Knight.  Ali Priestley stepped into the breach and organised the team into positions.  Now down to a bare 11 it meant that no one had a break out of the scorching July sun.  Hats off to our oldest players Brian and Robin who forged on without relief.  Southgate started well with Ali controlling things from centre mid ably supported by Raj and Arun.  Up front Chris, Saj and Brian ran some good lines and we were rewarded with the first goal from the stick of our “into the breach” captain Ali.

The game was divided into three 20minute thirds  to allow for water to be taken on.  By the end of the first third we were noticeably tiring but the back line of Jez, Mark, David James and Robin with Neil in goal held firm.

The second and third thirds were more even with everyone wilting in the oppressive heat.  Eventually the opposition’s superior numbers (they had three subs) told the tale and they sneaked a goal back off the pads of the battling Neil.  Southgate mounted some lovely sweeping moves with the ball being transferred from defence to attack in three or four swift passes but we were unable to find the telling shot on goal.

In the end a draw was a good result for a team shorn down to the barest minimum numerically.

MoM votes were shared by David, Ali and Jez with the latter just pipping it on a count back.