Falcons
Update
OH F Up
Season 2004 -
2005
The story of life in and around
Falcons are a veterans (over 35)/vintage (over 50) side mainly
playing friendly matches on a Saturday throughout the hockey season.
Any similarity to real life found within the stories that
follow is purely coincidental.
Season 2004 – 2005
|
Date |
Opposition |
H/A |
For |
Against |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
|
11-Sep |
|
10:30 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
18-Sep |
Chippenham |
10:30 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
02-Oct |
|
14:00 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
09-Oct |
Haslemere |
scratched |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16-Oct |
Polytechnic |
A 1500 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
23-Oct |
Amersham & Chalfont |
A 1500 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
30-Oct |
|
12:00 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
06-Nov |
|
A |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
13-Nov |
|
12:00 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
20-Nov |
Wokingham |
A |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
27-Nov |
|
A |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
28-Nov |
ISCA
Vintage Cup |
A |
1 |
7 |
|
|
1 |
|
04-Dec |
|
17:00 |
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
11-Dec |
Amersham & Chalfont |
10:30 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
08-Jan |
|
A |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
15-Jan |
|
14:00 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
22-Jan |
|
A |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
29-Jan |
Wokingham |
11:30 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
05-Feb |
|
15:30 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
12-Feb |
|
A |
2 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
19-Feb |
Epsom |
A |
2 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
20-Feb |
Bridgenorth
- Plate |
H |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
26-Feb |
Havant |
15:30 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
05-Mar |
|
14:30 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
12-Mar |
|
A |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
19-Mar |
Oxted & Club Dinner |
A |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
02-Apr |
|
14:30 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
10-Apr |
|
A |
1 |
5 |
|
|
1 |
|
16-Apr |
|
A |
1 |
3 |
|
|
1 |
|
23-Apr |
Olton & WW |
14:00 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
07-May |
City Venerables |
14:00 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
12-May |
Australian XI |
19:00 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Totals |
|
96 |
46 |
22 |
2 |
7 |
|
Leading Scorers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sobes |
16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rogues |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paddy |
11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gropes |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Crampers |
7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twizzle |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PC, Huggie, Ellio |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Groff |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Humph, DC |
3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Henn, RA, RC |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
Fixture - Sat 11,
Sept - 10.30 (H) v Milton Keynes
Having remembered the troubled times PJ had at the
start of last season, and knowing that several players were unavailable it was
with some trepidation that I opened PJ's e-mail Thursday. Surprisingly, there
isn't any steam coming off it and we appear to we have 11 players + 2 umpires,
albeit with the help of the 3A's and Senators.
Having decided to partake in a late
circuit training session around several of pubs in
Anyway, back to the plot. Knowing
that MK like to warm up I decided to get to BRN early. Arriving before
PJ finally decide he's got enough
Falcons, so calls us together for prematch instructions. This involves his
statement "I think it's a load of cock and bull", which kind of fits
in nicely. The line-up
FTC (3A)
Mighty Humph
Paddy Sobes Billers (Sen)
Fletch
PC JAB Griff (Sen)
Umpires PJ & Hughbie
Now, the more aware of you may have
noticed that theres a space in the line up. Crampers hasn't appeared, should we
bring on Billers junior, best not to he's got an important game away at
So, having got the game under way,
the Falcons surprise everyone, by playing sound sensible hockey.
5 mins in their keeper obligingly
takes out his right back with a beautiful slide tackle, leaving Griff an easy
shot, 1-0 Falcons.
5 mins later Fletch knocks one in,
2 mins later he does it again, just incase we missed it the first time, 3-0
Falcons.
At which
point, the wheels start to wobble alarmingly.
Now, this maybe because we relaxed
a bit too much, or we finally goaded MK into action or Crampy turned up. Who
really knows, or cares!
Anyhow MK score, so 3-1 half-time
and a Sobes roasting to come. Using phrases like "we're making passes that
aren't even reaching the oppo let alone our own players" he re-establishes
our equilibrium. We finally gain a penalty corner, will the prematch practice
routine work? It does! Sobes crashes one in at the near post (Now where have I
seen that before).
Back to
the clubhouse for the warm down. The 'killer' Chilli awaits. Crampers attempts to
make amends by buying a jug. Ellio, having come alone to watch the second half,
and sporting a beautiful 'shiner' joins us to help the celebrations. MK
magnanimous in defeat start plotting revenge for the return fixture, we quietly
drift off to whatever the rest of the day has in wait.
18th September –
Chippenham – home 10:30
With
Blommers & Rogues returning from holiday we, once again, have 13. Thus
Blommers & Mighty share the right back berth, doing a half each whilst
Groff provides a moveable feast across the forward line having had the first 12
minutes as sub. Thus we start:
Breezy
Mighty Humph
Paddy Sobes
Billers
PC Angers
NB Crampers Rogues
With
Groff sub and PJ and Henners on the whistle and Ricardo IC Team Management.
Chippenham
had a familiar look about them supplemented by a youth element. Their new
captain led some impressive looking warm up routines, much admired by the
onlooking Falcons. We looked to PJ for clarity regarding who should be doing
what to whom and where. Chippenham were expected to provide stiff,
uncompromising competition and so they did. We started in our now familiar
commanding fashion, moving the ball around intelligently, maintaining
possession but, this time, without scoring. Initial adjustments brought about
by the 12 minute substitution Horace Batchelor Infradraw Method initially
strengthened our domination, but still no goals. Gradually Chippenham found
their way into the game and started to threaten. Their left winger ha speed and
youth on his side (especially when compared to his counterpart in red!). Mighty
put in some excellent covering when the midfield were caught upfield and they
failed to really threaten. We continued to have the better of things but could
not score.
Half
time instructions from a “worked up” Sobes were to abandon any pretence at
gentlemanly behaviour and to give as good as was being dished out. Sobes
proceeded to lead from the front in this regard with appropriate smiling
apologies. Groff managed to hit the bar from close range and, with no oranges
to upset the digestion, Rogues was spotted standing around in their circle
facing the oncoming Billers. Billers played the ball to him, one touch, one
turn and the ball flashed past the keepers elbow into the net. Two minutes
later and the same player was spotted trundling across the pitch, left to
right, looking for a ball down the channel. Paddy obliged with a Mach 2 effort
that flashed straight down the “
At the
other end Breezy was having a bit of a bumping and boring from their forwards
and it worked. A centre from their left was allowed to come across unhindered,
as Breezy was too busy trying to give as good as he was getting, and they
equalized. However it was only minutes later that Crampers entered the circle
from an inside left berth and converted an NPN (near post nightmare!). And we
held on.
The
Jimmy Riddles and KC were very well received by a sociable set of Chipmonks
who, as usual, ignored the real heroes of the match and awarded their trophies
to themselves.
Opening wins over our old friends from MK and Chippenham are testament to the fact that another season is upon us - good news. However, the lack of Ricardo The Recumbant Goalkeeper in our line ups to date is Bad News.
The writing on the wall became apparent early summer when Ricardo failed to make his customary appearances for The Hobos, a venerable Thursday evening 20/20 cricket team based at Cumnor Cricket Club. Even more worrying was his lack of appearance at "net practice", that essential element to successful enjoyment of cricket. Things obviously were not right. He was complaining of feeling "under the weather" despite the glorious sunshine that May brought us. The Quacks declared him fit with nothing amiss. It was obvious that they were wrong, the spark was missing and he was complaining of feeling pain in all his joints, general discomfort and tenderness in all his nerve ends aggravated by any form of touch.
There may be a few readers who are, by now, realising that this malaise goes back rather further in time than indicated above. Indeed, his unwillingness to make contact with a hockey ball in the latter part of the season is now beginning to be medically explained.
Further visits to the Quack and then to the JR for tests has, eventually led to something with a long medical name being diagnosed. Even better there is a recovery plan. That plan involves RTRG now being on "stair rods" which, given time, will get him back "on the straight and narrow". That is the good news.
The bad news is that this recovery could take two years!
There is more good news in that he is, once again, putting in appearances at training, given that the season for net practice is over.
The Hobos, it has to be said, have not
had one of their most successful seasons. Wins have been scarce and winning
positions have been given away with (gay!?!) abandon. We have missed the
nudging and pushing from Ricardo that, almost without fail, accumulates a
considerable number of runs whilst not uncommonly running out a fellow batter
or two. My own bowling has continued to be of the "Russian Roulette"
variety, completely unpredictable to fielders, batters and bowler alike.
However, the summer of cricket was very good fun. One rather memorable match
(home to someone) was abandoned without a ball being bowled in order to protect
our wicket for the more professional players on Saturday. A prolonged net
practice ensued, commencing at CCC before moving across the road to the
B&RA led by the formal landlord of that establishment intent on enjoying a
night off and out. Trouble was he abandoned us around
Just as the overlap between cricket and
hockey was due I decided to become N/A in order to celebrate a special match.
Ellio
Paddy O' Shit
Blakey/Bob Phillips
Robbie
JT - John Timberlake
as well as one or two former Hawks and others:
Tom Abery
Will Abery
and my long standing friend and accomplice - Adrian/Ade/Adrain.
The match itself was, to me, a bit of a blur, albeit there is plentiful pictorial evidence. Thankfully that pictorial evidence ended before the "warm down" really got going and missed Blakey's faultless demonstration of how to remove a table cloth without disturbing the glasses. In the event I was one of the first to leave the "warm down", in itself a first I hear you say! This mass defection and non availability in 1974 was the bad news as the function being attended was not a "hockey" match. It was my wedding.
Hence I was faced, earlier this month, with the dreadful prospect of having to host some form of celebration to mark the 30th anniversary of this excellent match. I mean, take a look at the names on the list above and think - what would you do? I emigrated, and that is the good news.
I took myself and my excellent
"match" (
However the good news/bad news was to continue. Bad news: we were enjoying a pleasant aniversary celebration Indonesian meal beside the swimming pool on the Tuesday (14th) evening when we were rudely interrupted by loud disco music apparently deemed necessary by the "Animation Squad". The Animation Squad was a group of people given the onerous task of making things happen: exercises in the swimming pool, darts competitions etc. etc. Not our scene.
This particular evening they decided, at the prompting of some Russian guests, to make the most of a break in the music provided by an excellent singer accompanied by one of those electric organs that do everything (not that madam!). They had entertained us well on previous evenings, hence our decision to dine out there accompanied by them We were not pleased to have our conversation drowned out by heavy beat music all of a sudden - bad news! Wemade our disapproval obvious by:
- complaining to restaurant staff
- returning to our rooms and ringing up reception to complain at the noise
- applauding every time there was silence
- booing when the silence ended.
Eventually we were put out of our misery and allowed to spend the remainder of the evening with our singer dressed in black and his organist. We also succeeded in getting their order of music changed to include a request - good news. This represented the only change to their repertoire the whole week!
Our dislike of the music had not gone un-noticed! Bad news: the "Aggravation Squad" had been asked by the Ruskies to organise a water polo match with the "English" to put us in our place. As the challenge arrived mid afternoon we were suitably into "training" on freebies to accept with enthusiasm - bad news! Some time later we spotted the oppo warming up in the pool whilst we were sat upon the pool stools completing or pre-match training. They were looking useful, swarthy and menacing. We enlisted a couple of other Englishers to make up the numbers and fell into the pool. The "Aggravation Squad" had erected goals and were going to act as judge and jury - bad news. We decided that we aought to spread out around the pool and appoint someone goal minder. Hannah decided that she would "lead the attack" and the ball was launched into the water. Splash, splash and Hannah scored. Good News.
Two minutes later and Hannah scored
again. Ben, by now, was heard to be chanting "You're not singing
anymore" whilst doing his best to drown his nearest Ruskie by pulling down
on his trunks. Their shooting was awful from long distance making it easy to
save and take possession. We scored some more and the chant had become "
The good news lasted all through the
arrangements and execution of our return home. Then came the bad news! In
alighting from the mini bus that had met us at the airport some chump shut the
door on
FingerBobs (as
Good news, FingerBobs finger is not hurting so much now.
Bad news, it's not hurting so much 'cos she has had a tooth out which hurts more!
I give up.
With no match the preceding Saturday our first league game of the season needed to be taken seriously. Must be careful not to overdo the training. I was, therefore, faced with a very troubled "FingerBobs" on Thursday evening when she learned that I was staying in and not joining fellow members of CRAP at the 8 Bells. For the uninitiated CRAP stands for Cumnor Real Ale People with this name being appropriate as we are based at the B&RA where the beer is ****. So, we watched telly together Thursday. Well, we were in the same house albeit in different rooms!
However come Friday night it was time to
start preparations for the "big match". We had only managed a hard
draw with
"Nov. 1 Humping Nite.
Consequently it was a gentle Saturday morning of dog walking and breakfasting prior to arriving at NOSC to witness the Ladies 1s scoring their second against Westminster & Hampstead. A good 2-0 for them! Things were looking very odd from a Falcons perspective. 10 minutes to go to push back and there were 11 of us present, plus team management, 2 spectators and an umpire. True to form Ellio then turned up to give us 12 players. As he was last he could come on in the second half, allowing us to line up:
Breezy
Mighty Humph
Blommers Sobes Billers
PC PO'S Twizzle Crampers Rogues
We started well with our possession hockey without actually managing to convert. They started to come back into it but goals from Sobes (shortie) and an outrageous effort with his back to goal from Twizzle saw us 2-0 up at half time.
Team Management told us, in no uncertain terms, not to be complacent. No loose fannying around, keep it tight. Tight fanny obviously works for us as we managed 3 more: 1 more each for Twizzle and Sobes and a clinical finish from PC to a ball that was meandering along the line and just needed the slightest breath of wind to convert it. Somewhere in the latter phase the heavens opened and we drowned like rats. Our state was not improved by the showers being stone cold! MAINTENANCE PLEASE NOTE!
However our hospitality and Jans
excellent Killer Chilli overcame and
For those whom would like an enjoyable night out Pumpkin Night takes place 1st November at the Bear & Ragged Staff, Cumnor with childrens fancy dress at 18:00, judging of the pumpkins in the Bampton v. Cumnor competition culminating in the awards circa 20:30, official installation of the Mayor & Keeper of the Ducks and Pond circa 21:00 culminating in a grand charity auction 21:30 ish. Come along for some fun and enter into the spirit. SSNAP (Support for the Sick, Newborn And Parents at the JR) benefits from the auction.
9th October - Haslemere at home - Cancelled!
We were struggling for numbers when we
went to Haslemere last year, but at least we went. We also won with assistance
from Wimbo who came on as sub. This year it was Haslemere who were due to
travel and, having appealed unsuccessfully about the late start time of
Bother was not exactly the word I used having organised my week around this impending important imposition upon the domestic calendar. Very light training on Thursday in the Boot near Hampton In Arden where a meeting of the PMI ECV Chapter was being held (Project Management Institute, European Cultural Visit) and the prospective 2005 visit was planned. I was very good upon my return and went straight home rather than join the Cumnor Real Ale People on their weekly safari from the B & RA in search of the real thing. So, it was Question Time for me followed by a day off to recuperate and take FingerBob to the clinic at the JR. Imagine my distress and utterance of the word "Bother" upon receiving a phone call from Ricardo to inform me that Haslemere had "jacked".
I think I am going to send them the bill.
They could get away quite cheaply if I just send the bill for the pitch and the
uneaten chilli. I would prefer to send them the bill for the expenses that
resulted from not playing. Firstly there was a visit to the Cumnor Craft Fair
where some early Christmas presents were purchased. Fair enough (sic), perhaps
£25, not too bad considering a match fee of £10 was being saved. Then disaster
struck. Let's visit
So, two days later and £6k worse off.....................thank you Haslemere. Oh, Fran sends you a heartfelt thank you.
However it is not all bad news. The Hobos held their annual dinner at the B & RA Saturday night. This followed a fairly thorough training session there on the Friday when we put the IPA through its paces. The food was excellent, the company very good and the IPA was still performing well. Trophies were duly awarded with the Mug Of The Year going to the former landlord of the B &RA for a particularly memorable performance for the Hobos versus The Cavaliers. The record shows the Hobos as being 140 all out in 32 overs. However, in a rain affected match it was agreed that we would use all the overs regardless. Thus it was 140 for something like 13, with a number of people batting twice. Gavin Mansfield, former landlord, is a South African who prides himself on sporting ability and opens the batting or goes in one down. I can't remember which in this instance but he scored 1 and was then out. On his second attempt he scored 1 less! Had to get the award!
More good news was to come on Sunday when the Mens 1s recovered from a 1-0 deficit against a Whitchurch side with a previous 100% league record to win 3-1. That's 3 games and 6 points to date, one of our better starts to the season.
So we have to now look forward to our first away game of the season - Polytechnic. We managed a 4-3 win away last season with 2 from Sobes and 2 from Huggie, followed by a single goal from Gropes being enough for the home win. With no game from last week match fitness will be at a premium and we will need to get the training right this week and ensure that we are not jet lagged on the pitch.
Meantime outline arrangements have been proposed for this years dinner for Falcons, Partners and Friends.
Current proposal is for 5th December at the B & RA Cumnor at cost of £27.50 per head for 3 courses. E-mail responses of interest or alternative proposals to rmeadow3@csc.com.
By the way, who knows the answer to the question recently posed on the Falcons page on the Hawks website? See www.oxfordhawks.homestead.com and click on Falcons.
16th October – Polytechnic away.
Last season we went right up to Christmas without managing to field a full side away from home. No so this season! Places are there to be earned. Not only did we have 13 players that we took to Poly, we even managed to sub our keeper at half time with the replaced keeper taking to the park!
Following the excellent Hobos evening of the previous Saturday a rather quieter time was needed Sunday. This it was with a pleasant walk with the dog in the morning pior to watching that “1’s” win previously referred to. After this came an outing to Long Crendon for Adastral Training which rather resembled a visit to Toys & Kitchens R Us. The fridge freezer/Tardis was only outdone by the bouncy castle that completely filled the dining room. As driver a solitary bottle of Old Hookey was made to last whilst an excellent meal was enjoyed.
Early E-mails promised a good turn out
for Saturday and a solid training session was held Friday evening It was good
news to learn that RTS (Ricardo The Stairod) was feeling up to a return between
the posts, presumably bolstered by the fact that he could have a relatively
quiet time given our clean sheet of two weeks ago. This news caused extra
celebration Friday and did nothing to prevent the bit of kleptomania that was
quietly taking place in the corner. As usual we departed the B & RA the day
following that of our arrival and made our “steady” way home. With a
The Pope announced all present but then
prevaricated over who should/should not take a car. This was just as well as
Crampers turned up just as prevarication was ending. Off we went with A3 maps
of the immediate area around the M4/Polytechnic ground. Very useful if you have
a driver who recognises the turn off for Heathrow. When he doesn’t and,
therefore, prepares to turn off at the turning after next (next being Heathrow
according to him) we found ourselves viewing the outskirts of
We still had ample time to warm up, practice our PFs and short corner routine and enquire of the oppo how their season was going. Well it seemed having beaten Chalfont 9-2 the previous week! What they did not tell us was that one man scored all 9 of their goals! Luckily The Pope remembered this person and reminded Blommers how he had done a man marking job on him last season. Blommers couldn’t remember and may not remember any better next time around. It was OK so long as Blomm got to the ball first, otherwise he didn’t get a touch! However, with our 13 players we lined up:
Breezie
Mighty Blommers
Ellio Sobes Billers
Henners JPAR Gropes Crampers Rogues
With PC and RTS on the bench.
Overall we had the better of the game in the 1st half and should have been more than 1 up at half time. However, we made our planned changes for the second half with RTS coming into goal for his seasons debut (great to have him back and well enough!), Breezie moving to left wing (from goal!) and PC replacing Henn on the right. It was looking good, indeed rather better, with relentless Falcons pressure…… until they scored! Yes, it was that man! However, we immediately had them back under pressure and, from another short corner, their right half took out Sobes in a fairly uncompromising fashion. Yet another short – but no, a flick was awarded. High drama, a slightly controversial (according to Poly ) award at 1-1. Up steps Sobes and the goalkeeper saves. Was this justice!?!? At this point the Horace Batchelor Infradraw method kicked in and Rogues came on, Crampers departed, Breezie moved to left inner. The Infradraw method calls for forward line subs every ten minutes with associated re-jigging of positions.
We maintained the pressure and won another PF, this time from a blatant foot/leg stop on the line from another Gropes effort with goalkeeper nowhere. Gropes looked as though he fancied it, Rogues got the nomination and, this time, the goalkeeper did not get a touch. 2-1 to Falcons. We kept the pressure on and Gropes got his second and our third from a cracking PC cross that eluded everyone except the Groper who crashed it against the backboard. They were finished.
Back at the pub down the road that acts as their club we had some excellent beer at even better value: £7.30 for a four pint jug. They were generous with the jugs and we planned our route home with the choice being between the Bottle or the “Jugs”. The Jugs won (I hink it is actually called the Red Lion at Tetsworth) and we discovered that it has had a revamp since our last visit. However the beer is still excellent, the jugs still in evidence and the menu looking good, especially their £5 Monday theme nights! Another enjoyable Falcons outing, oh and JPAR and Ellio can now attempt to explain away how they have scored with the young lady pictured on our web page (www.oxfordhawks.homestead.com – Falcons page).
As forecast last week the Falcons Dinner will be on 4th December at the Bear & Ragged Staff Cumnor at £27.50 per head. Orders and money in advance through Rogan – E-mail: rmeadow3@csc.com.
23rd October – Amersham & Chalfont away.
More drama off the pitch than on it this
week! For some the drama started Thursday with the commencement of the Oxford
Beer Festival. Can really do some damage and it was threatening to lay low our
keeper, The Recumbant One. However he survived and it was great to have him
back in action and we can now properly start counting down to a clean sheet –
19, 18….17… For me the drama started on Friday night when we accompanied
friends to the Watermill Theatre, Newbury to see a performance of Neville’s
A
The dithering over car sharing was just as well as, before it was sorted, Billers arrived and further complicated the arrangements. Eventually we got underway with a mixture of vehicles and vague ideas regarding where we were headed. Everyone made it but the traffic jam on the M25 was too much for Breezies bladder and almost too much for PCs! By now it was raining and Crampers was providing Rogues with serious competition in the “Silly Hat” department. Having all got changed we were given our talking to and this weeks version of the HB Infradraw method explained. This involved the forward line taking it in turns to take 12 minutes off, starting with Rogues. As a result we lined up:
Ricardo
Mighty Humph
Blommers Sobes Billers
PC Gropes Twizzle Crampers Breezie
With The Pope blowing and Rogues getting wet.
1st off was Crampers, then Breezie, followed by PC, then Gropes and finally Twizzle. Good, init!
Sometime during the first 11 minutes I spotted Breezie breaking from the halfway line all on his own and with the ball. Luckily his bladder held out and he put the ball past a static Amersham keeper for his first Falcons goal. More goals were to follow: the inevitable 1 under a hat trick from Twizzle, 1 from PC and one from Gropes. Amersham got two in reply.
However, the drama was to continue as
Crampers, due to make an immediate departure for home, found he had locked his
and Blommers kit in his wagon along with the keys! Oh dear! A call home to get
his wife to run over with the spare keys – popular! Meantime we took Blommers
to Amersham clubhouse where we were awarded with some excellent Youngs bitter
and a splendid fry up for tea. A few jugs and chatter later and we were on our
way for a mandatory stop at “that pub” in Tetsworth where Crampers was due to
drop off Blommers kit. Sure enough, the kit was there as was a good selection
of ale which kept us there for a couple of rounds before back to
We are back at home next week and need to
take things seriously as we face Woking Pitts at home.
30th October –
Very dry week this week. Sunday involved
a family trip to
I declined the offer of a trip to watch
the University take on the Tigers Monday night as the
Friday was always going to be tricky. I
had been informed that I was attending a Barn Dance at the village hall, but
that it was guaranteed to end at
Consequently we were relatively bright on
Saturday morning and up and taking the dog for a walk early. My “brownie point”
earning attendance of the night before was rewarded by an excellent bacon and
egg buttie on return from dog walking prior to departure for hockey. Getting to
the ground early I was able to put away the goals and backboards left out,
presumably, after training and practice my flicks before anyone else arrived.
With Roche having gone “out of range” up into the
With only eleven we were spared the HB Infradraw method for this week and lined up:
Ricardo
Mighty Blommers
Ellio Sobes Humph
Henners Gropes PC Breezie Rogues
Some good interplay led to Humph scoring. A penetrating pass into the circle led to Rogues scoring. A quick decision by their keeper to stop a long corner by kicking the ball led to PC scoring. Some good play up their right led to their scoring and some forgetfulness by Ellio led to us not having any oranges at half time.
We continued to make chances in the second half, but did not convert. They also created chances, but only converted one. So 3-2 to us! They were gracious in defeat and said how they always enjoyed a competitive game against us made especially enjoyable when they were the visitors because of the excellent chilli. They were not disappointed! A goodly number of jugs washed down the Killer Chilli intheir case, made up for the lack of it in ours. We still await the lack of satsumas jug! Their awarding of their customary Man Of The Match award (to their right inner) was followed by the inaugural award of a “Falcons Unique Contribution Certificate”. Although he had dashed off to play for their thirds their captain accepted it in his absence: the FUCC was awarded to their goalkeeper for his “assist”. I think they were going to append the letter “UP “ to the certificate!
Saturday 6th November – Reading away
This week it was the big one – Pumpkin
Night at the Bear & Ragged. Rumours were rife as to whom was going to be
the new Mayor and some said that the landlord was running a book. Whatever,
no-one from the “cabale” of ex mayors who make the election was giving anything
away. By the time I arrived around
The trophies for best kept pumpkin etc etc all went in Bamptons direction. Thankfully there is a cup for the best of breed for Cumnor, so Cumnor did manage to retain that one. The awards were followed, after due delay for glass refilling, by the unveiling of the “Role Of Honour”: a list of all previous mayors which it is very good to see and provides that necessary record of the history of this custom. This, inevitably led to the moment when the next name on the list could be announced, albeit it is a pity no room was left for that name on the list. Presumably, in the tradition of all the best restaurants, the latest mayor will appear on a blackboard at the side under “This years specials”. The naming of Bob Bennett produced sighs of relief from one or two others who were not convinced of the merits of a dip in the village pond at this particular time.
So, having been named, we all trooped off to said pond where we were greeted by an impressive set of fireworks, suspended from a rope across the pond and simultaneously set off. Just as they were dieing away a large splash announced the introduction of the Mayor to his responsibilities: Keeper Of The Pond, responsible for the welfare of the ducks. Whilst he was being fished out of the pond we all trooped back inside to refill glasses before moving into the car park in order to witness the final, and the most impressive firework display of the night. It was magnificent. Glasses suitably re-filled and it was time to start the charity auction, interrupted by the raffle. Somewhere around £1,000 raised on the night.
It was sometime mid auction that the wheels started to come off. We had been pacing things reasonably well for what was obviously going to be a long night, and the pace had started to tell. What we had not reckoned upon was the IPA running out and being forced onto Abbott Ale. Those Abbotts have a lot to answer for. IPA at 3.6 on the richter scale is an OK session beer. Abbott Ale at 5.0 is not. At least it renderd me incapable of making a coherent bid for anything!
Consequently, WFH (working from home) Tuesday morning was a fairly quiet, uneventful affair, not unlike our slow build up to the weekend on Thursday (TWH then B&RA) and Fridays limbering up back in the B&RA. In between we had witnessed with suitable admiration the rapid surrender of PJ in favour of the masterly mathematical talents of the Sobes in working out how the hell we were going to give thirteen players a game on Saturday. The Sobes Permutation was published on Thursday with instruction to all of us to be prepared for a written test on Saturday. I don’t think it was the threat of the written test so much as the threat of playing a whole game at right half that put the frighteners on JPAR. He obviously decided that some extra training was required and duly phoned in with a “pulled something” Saturday morning.
I feel, at this point, to provide some advise to you ladies in order to avoid further instances of “pulled somethings” preventing performance on a Saturday during the season. Ladies: on a Friday, at the end of an arduous week in the office, let them wind down and also limber up for the Saturday match by letting them out to go training. After that arduous week plus the training everyone will appreciate a good nights sleep. If they want to get amorous, ladies, encourage them to wait until Saturday. Come Saturday they will be much fresher and raring to go. Consequently encourage them to go and enjoy their game of hockey to the full. Tell them you will expect them when you see them once they have completed a full warm down. Prepare a nice cosy atmosphere for their return. Upon arrival, greet them with enthusiasm and interest in their day and performance. Seat them comfortably in their favourite chair with a drink at their elbow. Put their feet up and put on the television telling them that you can enjoy Match Of The Day together before “having an early night”. And sit back.
Next thing they will know is that there is a black and white film on the screen, the seat next to them is empty, and, ooooppps, must have fallen asleep. By this time you will be well tucked up and, of course, away with the fairies, snoring. Follow this regime and you never know, we might still need the Sobes Permutation.
As for the match: we lined up
Ricardo
Mighty Blommers
Crampers Sobes Billers
PC Gropes Twizzle Breezie Rogues with Henn as sub.
Some 70 minutes and the usual Infradraw subs process later, Ricardo was celebrating a clean sheet and Sobes and Gropes had added to their tally.
Lodden brewery are situated near Reading HC and provide a very excellent brew. Unfortunately we were not able to take full advantage of that or the numerous excellent pubs on the way home owing to a certain individual being under orders. Criminal!
13th November –
Lots have happened this week. First of all there was that revolving supper that I had to get back for last Saturday. Starters turned out to be served at the end of the road. We had then elected to host six for a main course on the basis that you can be assured of getting plenty to drink if you are the host. Then off to the village hall where all 100 of those involved gathered for sweet, coffee, entertainment and raffle. All in aid of charity. Quite a logistical exercise which always ends too late to make it to the pub.
But never mind ‘cos after a quiet day
Sunday we were off with our Telegraph tokens for a discounted two night break
at The Grand Hotel, Swanage. Last time we were in Swanage was 30 years ago for
our honeymoon! The Corrie Hotel that we stayed in then has been demolished in
favour of old peoples flats, but we knew where it was from our photos. An early
Monday start enabled coffee at Stonehenge followed by lunch in a riverside pub
in
One is always a little wary of hotels
like The Grand, especially if they are not part of a chain. They can sometimes
be tired and run down. Not so at Swanage. We had a good room with views across
the bay where we could sleep with the sound of the waves. Tuesday saw us
exploring those areas of coastline between Swanage and Lulworth Cove that were
accessible. Other areas are closed during the week for the Army to practice
over. The
Thursday I resisted temptation and remained in. Friday it was off to the B &RA in good time given that they now close on time and we needed to ensure there was sufficient time for a full session. Tactical blunder! It was the managers birthday and they didn’t close! By one we (the ex Mayor and I) decided enough was enough and left. Nine hours later and the dog was being walked around the river before breakfast and then off to NOSC. Sobes and Henn were already there and the oppo were arriving. The ladies finished playing with themselves and we decided that the pitch deserved water and discovered that fat bastards are not allowed a wet pitch ‘cos you cannot get into the hut to switch it on. Talk about getting a cork into a bottle! Eventually we managed to slide Henn in but he then couldn’t see what to do. Muck tugging and pulling later and he detected a switch which, when turned, started something up. Sure enough we could now start watering.
Meantime
Ricardo
Mighty Humph
Blommers Ellio RA (Richard Allen making his 2004 debut)
Henn JPAR Breezie Sobes Rogues
And after a shaky start had the better of the first half but turned around 1-0 down when they scored form a breakaway. Second half adjustments from The Pope saw Blommers moving to full back, Ellio to right half, Sobes to centre half and “H” appearing at inside left with Mighty on the bench. From one of our many shorts the ball came out to JPAR who shot/passed the ball to the keepers right, to the flick spot for Breezie to divert it into the net. This miss shot was not to be repeated and, indeed, no sooner had we stopped celebrating but they excellently converted a shortie and that was that.
Well, not quite. Some excellent chilli and a few rounds of the Jimmy Riddles later and home we went to watch the rugby league. Good first half, missed the second, woke up in the middle of the Remembrance Day service without knowing the result!
Saturday 20th November – Wokingham away.
Wednesday morning I awoke to find a text
message on my mobile informing me that the M4 Westbound was closed just after
M32 junction, but due to re-open
I was headed for Filton where Airbus are
building a new factory to make wings for a military version of the A340. To go
along with the new factory, equipment and manpower they require computer
systems, which is where I come in. Started there on Monday and was still
getting used to journey timing when Wednesdays closure intervened and sent me
around Chippenham and then North and West over the M4 and M5 to approach
Bristol down the A38.. Took an hour longer but at least we kept moving. The
back way out of Filton also served to ignore the continuing traffic chaos as I
went homeward. Out the back door onto the M5 up to the M4 and then East past
the chaos where there was still only 1 lane open and queues back to the
Things weren’t much better on the hockey
front! Our nicely timed
Ricardo
Mighty RA
Blommers Sobes Billers
Crampers Ellio Twizzle Groff Rogues
We started well, they were then looking
useful, then we got a couple from Crampers at the left hand post, then Rogues
at the right hand post (it’s good to have wingers who know their position!).
Second half it was all us but we only managed one from Twizzle and they spoilt
Ricardos hopes of a clean sheet. Their chilli and rice definitely missed the
“Killer” touch and the smooth stream did not tempt us to stay long with
Things are not looking promising for our
taxing double header next week: we lost at
Sat 27th
Double header coming up: league on
Saturday and our first match in the Veterans Cup, having benefited from a bye
in the first round. Pressure was on, therefore, to give the elderly ones a
restful day on Saturday in order that they would have some “legs” for Sunday.
Shame about that. Players disappearing all over the place for a variety of
reasons. However sterling work from PJ got us 12 to
Ricardo
Mighty Blommers
Ellio Sobes Humph
Henn JPAR Cookie Twizzle PC Rogues ((HBISS employed)
Their bitter tasted all the better being served by the youth we had despatched earlier and then it was off home for an early night. Not quite. Mandatory pause at Titsworth where we were to be joined by The Pope. In the event we also summoned Crampers from the heat of the kitchen and sampled a couple of excellent pints and admired the obviously popular menu.
Then it was an early night in readiness for a very early Sunday start. Meet at JPARs 08:30! It was noticeable that everyone was just on time. The rumour that, for those that got there early, there could be Killer Chilli for breakfast seemed to have worked! As it was croissants and coffee were on offer before we loaded up the minibus and set off.
The auspices were not good! PC had
decided to have a grand daughter christened, our 12th man had broken
a toe on Saturday so we were now down to eleven. And the minibus driver took
the wrong turning out of the drive! However, given that Henn had ensured that
we had 3 weeks to get there the odd diversion just served to eat up the time.
Finally we found our way onto the A34, then off it to pick up RA from outside
the Hand & Shears at
Isca were rumoured to be “useful”. We were lining up:
Ricardo
Mighty Robbo (yes, good to have him back in action!)
Ellio Sobes RA
Henn JPAR Cookie Twizzle Rogues
Our defence was magnificent. Ricardo
could have been our man of the match. But they were simply too good for us. We
couldn’t do anything right up front. Even the goal we scored via a Twizzle
flick from the edge of the D skimmed over the crossbar, landed in the roof of
the net and dropped into the goal through a hole! However, we are professionals
(aren’t we Henn!) and did not want to make the umpire doubt his eyesight. So,
we had scored one, only trouble was they got more (7).
Their hospitality was nearly faultless,
but we made sure that the rather (and probably unintentional) back handed
compliment from one of their number got the treatment it deserved. We left them
with best wishes for future rounds and the hope that they do not meet Indian
Gym before the final this year. Our return journey was blighted by the news
that the “1s” had not won and the appalling traffic at
Ah well, there I always the plate!
Saturday 4th Dec. –
After our ignominious withdrawal from Isca on Sunday it was a relief to get back to winning ways in an action packed end to the week. And we can leave you with a conundrum:
Falcons score 6,
However, before we get into the minutae
of the match there is that annual event “The Mayor Of Cumnors Luncheon” to
mention. This brought the working week to a suitable dissolution having spent
Monday having the day off to earn brownie points by going Xmas shopping after
the weekends two days of hockey. One of the more successful shopping trips:
John Lewis,
Some had spent the morning playing golf or ten pin bowling at Eynsham. All then gathered in the B & RA for liquid preparations for the meal. We sat down around 15:30, got up sometime later, went to the cricket club mid evening, returned and was eventually “taken home” around 22:00 ish with instructions not to sit down, but to go straight to bed. Apparently I fell asleep en route. At least I did not make the tactical blunder of phoning my wife whilst on my way to the cricket club and giving her a commentary of falling over! Eh. Ricardo!
Saturday got underway somewhat slowly! A
gentle walk with the dog preceded emptying the loft of all the Christmas
decorations and erecting the outside tree with
its berry lights. Disagreement over what to do with the other outside
lights meant that I could retire for a bacon butty and watch the rugby before
appearing at BRN to watch the second half of the Senators match. Wrong!
Senators
All the early pressure from Falcons and
Sobes nets a shortie.
For the record the line up was:
Ricardo
Mighty Humph
Blommers Sobes Billers
Henn JPAR Cookie Crampers PC.
And so a couple of jugs and some Killer Chilli later and we were off to the B & RA for the Falcons dinner. A few more beers and a plentiful supply of food later, served in part by the (not very evident!) owner of the twin strikers on our web page, and we thanked PJ for his continued organisation of the Falcons, despite his inability to perform himself. Yes, it was the second time this season that the Falcons have given a FUCC (Falcons Unique Contribution Certificate). Well earned.
So we now look forward to entertaining Amersham for breakfast next week when we are the warm up act for the “1s” who face the league leaders after us. Game on.
11th December – Amersham, home
The festive season is upon us. How do I
know? Because the
Friday saw a day of unrelenting action on
the festive front. Having walked the dog it was off to
“Do you know what you would like?”
I just want an X…ing tree.
After one false start as, apparently, those with the yellow label were eight feet, we chose something six feet, blue/silver and not too broad. It was duly netted for us and inserted through the sun roof and taken home, potted up and positioned in the room. Not sure about needle retention, it certainly shed a few around my car. Then it was down the garden to decorate my erection. The gardener wears a Father Christmas outfit at this time of year, his assistant has a festive hat. Three sets of Christmas lights illuminate the erection which, with the gardener in residence with the duck on his knee and the pig with festive antlers on a chair at his side, is a sight to behold. Especially in the dusk/dark, even if I say it myself. Next it was ladders out and prune the Mountain Ash at the front before stringing a few lights around it just so I know which house is mine upon returning from the pub. A few timers set up for all the illuminations and that’s Christmas sorted.
Quiet night in the B &RA as we had a
breakfast appointment with Amersham on Saturday. A lift home ensured a return
the same day we departed and a
relatively early Friday night giving a nice early start to Saturday.
Ricardo
Mighty The Pope
Blommers Sobes RA
PC JPAR Twizzle Humph Rogues
And for fifteen to twenty minutes played some class hockey scoring two goals. JPAR was in commanding form, roaming around the inside berths, left and right. It was from the inside left channel that he took the ball into the circle, beat three defenders and finished clinically. He looked pleased! A few minutes later and he found Rogues, who had made a cross field run, with a telling through ball down the right inner channel. A first time deflection left allowed Twizzle to run on into the circle, shoot and, from the deflection off a defenders foot, Rogues reverse sticked the knee high ball into goal. Throughout all of this PJ was at his commanding best picking up balls with ease at all heights and distributing like the master he is. However, true to Falcons form, it couldn’t last, and it didn’t. Amersham got themselves back into the game, albeit not managing to score.
Half time and The Pope gave us a sermon.
No time for confessional, but too much fanny was certainly on the list of
deadly sins. The next goal could be decisive. If we could get a 3rd
it would kill the game off, so go for it. Amersham scored. Things started to
warm up and came to the boil when The Pope was blocked from getting to the man
with the ball and did not exactly give the umpire his blessing! Had he been
addressing the masses in
Unfortunately the “1s” were no match for
Holcombe (which is in
8th January –
Those of us that are not invited to get
involved with Boxing Day frolics on the hockey pitch had to go in search of
their stick and dust it down after too long a break (11th Dec!). The
3A’s wimped out on us too late to
arrange any alternative (except Xmas shopping!!!****) and no one wanted to turn
out at the New Year. Consequently it was a rusty squad that set off for
Christmas had been a thoroughly relaxing and enjoyable experience. We knew that HTP (Hannah The Paramedic) would not be with us until 20:30ish Xmas Day owing to work. Ben and his partner were staying the night Xmas Eve. Consequently it was off into Cumnor for drinkies Friday (Xmas Eve) night. Well organised as we are Rogues went to the Bear & Ragged whilst the rest went to the Cricket Club. Intentions were to join up later – not achieved! Some (1) went directly home whilst others settled for a late night drink at the church – mid night mass/communion.
Christmas Day saw everyone up bright and
early (09:30) and off to King Lock, upstream from the Trout at Godstow, to
exercise the lock keepers dogs around Pixie Meadow along with our own Border
Collie (lock keeper being away and Ben & Fram on dog sitting duty). Ben
then took Fran to her Mums before joining us at Cumnor and, at 12:30ish, it was
off to The Bear, then the Cricket
Club then back to The Bear. Interest
in turkey was lost then rekindled and was eventually served around
Boxing Day morning saw me walking our dog
around the
New Years Eve then hove into view. Lets all meet up at one house, have some champagne, move on to the next for more champagne, then end up at the Bear for the buffet and live music suggested one wise sage. Great said everyone and we duly negotiated bulk discount on tickets for the Western themed New Years Eve party at the Bear and got in supplies for the round robin. All was looking good until it transpired that everyone would meet at our house and then go straight to the Bear by cars which would then be abandoned until morning. Good dummy, Nick Harris!
A motley crew of twelve or so in varied
forms of western garb descended upon the B & RA for our buffet, free first
drink and live music through the night until people stopped spending. Twas an
excellent night! Buffet very acceptable, beer very plentiful, company very
amiable, music very danceable.
Everything nearly went perfectly, except……… when the X Mayors wife (the
MayorX) decided it was time to leave and walk home with others the XMayor
rapidly disappeared to the far end of pub. Unfortunately the MayorX noticed the
lack of XMayor and came looking for him.
He’s looking for his coat I helpfully suggested just as he appeared to which
MayorX replied that XMayor had left his coat in back of my car in car park and
marched him outside. The XMayor plan of letting MayorX go home before him had
been foiled! We duly followed suit some time later –
New Years day, and another Saturday without hockey. All was not lost as the XMayor had invited me to the Kassam as his guest. For those uninitiated in these matters this involved being taken by car, from home, to the Kassam Stadium and a reserved parking slot within 20 yards of the door. Up some stairs and into Directors Dining room for a free buffet lunch, free programme and free seats to watch the match – Oxford United versus Wycombe Wanderers. I have to say the £10 a head buffet at the B & RA knocked spots off the fare on offer in the Directors Diner. We bought our own lager. Entertaining match with United taking the lead, then having man sent off, getting a second near end and then conceding an unjust penalty on full time, making injury time very tense. But we won, had coffee and bikkies (free) in DD before retiring to the B & RA for the warm down and “damage assessment” from previous evening. Few beers later and we were convinced there had been no damage.
All too soon it was back to work after
nearly 3 weeks off, however a last minute text message told me not to bother
travelling to Bristol as our customer had not got order cover in place and we
would not be insured whilst on his site as a consequence. Unfortunately the
customer was only 24 hours late with his order and, thus, come Wednesday, it
was off to
Those benefiting from “Rog. nav.” had no
trouble at all which is more than can be said for JPAR whom, having found the
relocation venue successfully, successfully pulled something in the warm
up. Twizzle did not need to “pull”
having brought his with him – “The Italian Job” (TIJ). For the sake of clarity
“TIJ” is actually Rumanian, but lives in
We eventually managed a line up:
Ricardo
Blommers The Pope
Ellio Sobes Humph
PC JPAR Twizzle Crampers Rogues with Robbo on the whistle which he was due to swap with The Pope at half time.
We retired to their club to sample their excellent Badger and some splendid port and stilton left over in large quantities from their 27th match. We left a convivial opposition eventually, to set off for Titsworth with Twizzle in the lead. Titsworth was closed! Twizzle reported this minor catastrophy and by the time we had formed the fall back plan (3 Pigeons, Milton Common) he had passed this particular bird and was headed for another, I suspect. So, a couple of seven pint rounds of Breakspears preceded our final return home before joining Cumnor Real Ale People and partners for a get together at Ricardos accompanied by a pretty substantial Indian TA washed down by ‘Hen.
It’s great to be back and playing, and a good way to re-start the season.
15th January – Reading, home
The list of “N A’s” from last week was
looking pretty impressive. The same could not be said for the excuses! Salmon
fishing! Shooting! Injured!!! Two teams have, so far, failed to score against
us:
Four steady days up and down the M4/A420,
Saturday dawned, dog was walked, omelette cooked for lunch and off to NOSC. PJ had worked his customary wonders and we had eleven, but only eleven (plus Hugh on the whistle). Robbie was back and playing, The Pope was featuring again, Henn was fit (despite the pessimistic stories from PJ a week earlier), Groff was promoted from our development squad, Mighty had left a large hole in the ozone layer and Barmy army down under, and Huggie was featuring for the first time since Boxing Day 2003.
A severe talking to from The Pope before the game had us organised with the following line up:
Ricardo
Mighty The Pope
Blommers Sobes Robbo
PC Henn Huggie Groff Rogues
And we were under way. They had some
useful players on the park, had the better of play early on but never really
threatened Ricardo. Their keeper, whilst young, was certainly not wet behind
the ears. He knew what he was doing and was, reportedly,
No need for Wilsden to attend to the bed
linen this week, clean sheet double over
Saturday 22nd January –
Answer – cold, damp and one person at the wrong school. Luckily our mobile phone network provided early warning and The Pope was wheeled out and prepared for the worst. Meantime Oxted were being beaten by the other Winchester Alliance side, which at least gave us the opportunity of asking Oxted if our forthcoming game could be re-arranged to a more convenient time to allow us to attend the Club Dinner. We shall see.
So, with Crampers shooting (or shot?), Ellio somewhere, Humph supporting his son, Billers injured, Gropes injured, Breezie lost without trace, Twizzle with a knee “trembler” (!???!) and RA still between “classes”, we lined up:
Rocardo
Mighty PJ
Blommers Sobes Robbo
Henn JPAR DC Groff Rogues
Yes, David Cole was making his return after a long lay off with an injured knee, meaning he and PC were sharing the CF slot. Once RA arrived he took over LH with Robbo retiring to LB and The Pope taking up the whistle. They threatened to threaten, without really threatening. We did our (now) usual mixture of good possession stuff interspersed by some misplaced stuff. DC was moving around like a spring chicken, their umpire seemed to have misplaced his whistle causing some irritation to our front RHS. Still, Sobes drilled in a shortie, and JPAR got a second. Our cause was helped in second half by one of their better players continual complaints and semi assaults on our players resulting in his inevitable forced temporary rest. Rogues proceeded to put a flick wide having been stick tackled in the act of scoring (well, potentially getting a shot in!), but JPAR got a second and PC put one in. Just as Ricardo was planning to put the DAZ away for another week they managed a last minute consolation. But we had won, and we were very pleased.
We continued to congratulate ourselves
back via their other school (and clubhouse) where we encountered Stormin Norman
and the rest of his Trojan outfit in ghastly shirts, to
We are having fun, but still have considerable challenges ahead with Wokingham, Guildford, Henley (a), Epsom (a), Havant, Woking, Winchester (A again) and Oxted (a) still to come.
Saturday 29th January – Wokingham at home
It was a very different looking Wokingham
team that appeared at St Edwards for our
Ricardo
Mighty Robbo
Blommers Sobes RA
DC JPAR Huggie Humph Rogues
With PJ exchanging umpiring roles with Robbo at half time.
We also had Ellio on the whistle.
Whilst Christmas seems an awfully long time ago, Falcons it seems, are just entering the pantomime season:
· Blommers was in the final throws of preparation for the great Hanney pantomime in the week ahead, with dress rehearsal due in the next day or so.
· Our attempts to score goals from open play were “slapstick”!
· Wokingham had brought along the “villain”. He self combusted mid second half by collapsing in a gasping heap on the ground whilst we were all down the other end of the pitch winning a short corner. Having recovered from this, he then repeated the act minutes from the end, claiming a contra tente with PJ. Having gained no sympathy from “The Ump” he proceeded to “exit stage left” muttering dire threats and “spells” upon PJ, The Ump, and Falcons in general. The rest of his side showed true togetherness by totally ignoring his instructions to follow him and walk off the pitch.
· Ricardo was entering in the pantomime spirit through repeated choruses of “It’s behind you” – three times! Once the curtain had come down he did the decent thing and bought a jug as it was the first time we had conceded more than two this season on a Saturday.
· Good triumphed over evil in the final act, as in all the best pantomimes. We scored the winning, and our 4th, goal in added on time.
Those of Wokingham who joined us for the
warm down enjoyed the Killer Chilli and Ruddles. Those of us who enjoyed
Ricardo’s jug also enjoyed the Senators 5-5 draw with
5th Feb:
Hanney pantomime lived up to its reputation. Blommers was Blommers featuring frequently in the chorus. An excellent evening of entertainment which ended in time for a swift retreat to the B & RA where there was just time to down a swift three. Meantime last weeks ructions continue to reverberate. In true pantomime fashion we have the article, we just have to find the person it fits! In Wokinghams case (rather, to be fair to them, their players case) the article is not a glass slipper but a photograph. All we have to do is find the stick end that fits the image. Having sought divine guidance we thought about advising where to stick the image but we have decided to withdraw PJ’s nomination for sainthood for the time being, and The Pope has succumbed to a bad throat and is not available for comment.
Ricardo
Mighty Robbo
PJ Sobes Humph
Henn JPAR Ellio Crampers Rogues
With Billers on the sideline hoping not
to be required and PC featuring at left wing for
We struggled early on to get things going and were relieved when Hitman Henman hammered one home, a real cracker. Both keepers were starring and we continued to struggle to score. However Rogues, performing in front of a record home crowd, eventually managed to deflect a cross into goal and Ellio deflected a Sobes free hit in at the end. Pristine bed linen for Ricardo! JPAR “pulled” necessitating Billers to feature for a time, thankfully without adverse impact upon his hand.
No drama this week, therefore, but another satisfying win with Ricardo voted MOM – man of the match. PJ jubilant with a rare Welsh win at rugby and excellent to see in Mondays Telegraph that the “1s” had drawn 3-3 at Formby.
OK, Falcons, get your tickets in for the club dinner dance that follows our final scheduled league match of the season – 19th March at Hawkswell House, Iffley. Lets get a good Falcons table and celebrate what is, already, a very successful season.
Sat. 12th Feb. –
I vividly remember having to fight to prove that I was “left handed” when at primary school in Charlbury. My teacher at the school would not allow a pupil to learn to write with their left hand unless they passed her “test”. I was subjected to this test which was performed in front of the whole class. She put a ball, bigger than a tennis ball, smaller than a football, on the floor and told me to kick it. So I did, with my right foot. Thus, apparently, I was right handed!
Wrong, I couldn’t write for toffee with my right hand. But it took considerable pressure with letters from my parents to persuade said teacher. One of the contributing problems was that we were using pens with real ink and real knibs. Writing with my left hand meant that I was pushing the pen across the paper whilst a right handed writer “pulled” the pen across the paper. Pushing meant that the knib snagged and dug into the paper spraying ink all over the place. So, write with your right hand and it will work. Wrong, I just couldn’t.
So, more correspondence ensued to negotiate the circumstances whereby I was allowed to use one of those new fangled “biro’s”. They had a ball point that worked when I pushed it left handed across the paper. At last I was allowed and able to write with my left hand. But already I was behind everybody else, I was retarded. And it was all because I kicked a ball with my right foot.
So, what’s this got to do with 2005? I still write with my left hand. I still kick a ball with my right foot by choice. I will bowl left handed, bat right handed. So I am not a cackhanded hockey player. I use a knife and fork with the fork in my left hand, but hold the fork in my right when partnered with a spoon. However, when it comes to raising a glass to my lips I will naturally use my left hand, but am ambidextrous. As for tennis, table tennis and badminton: I have never really decided which hand to use. I pick my nose with my right hand and scratch with the same hand. Always put my right sock on first, and always put my right foot into my trousers first. If I as a boxer I would lead with my right and polish the car with my left. Hold a hammer in my left, and a screw driver.
And something else I realised for the first time on Sunday. I awoke to discover that, as well as losing some skin off the back of my left hand during the match the previous day, I had also sprained my left wrist. Now, as with many sprains, I only noticed this “injury” once I stopped using it. Thus it was only after the match and after the warm down that the injury was allowed to rest and seize up. And so we came to Sunday morning and the passing of much of the night before and………………yes…. I use my left hand to wipe my a**e. But not with a sprained wrist! Talk about all fingers and thumbs and wash your hands afterwards.
The aftermath of Henley – a real bummer.
But we could all see it coming.
Ricardo
Mighty Robbo
Blommer Sobes RA
PC Crampers Huggie Groff Rogues
I kept the wrist exercised in their
clubhouse and en-route home. I am now going through a carefully constructed set
of remedial exercises planned to get it back into full action in time for the
coming weekend when the Falcons have a double header: league at Epsom Saturday,
plate competition at home Sunday. Not me, though, I am off to
19/20 Feb – Epsom & Bridgenorth
It's a busy weekend for the Falcons, with games on
Saturday (league) and Sunday (Vintage plate). With some of us, 'cos we'll have
to play both, being busier than others.
Rogues is n/a for both games, he's
in
Fortunately PJ's desparate cry for
help at the beginning of the week, is answered by Gropes (out since before
christmas with injuries) and Tim Winchester (aka Wimbo) who'd not been seen in
a Falcons shirt for a season and a half. So he's able to put out a squad, with
a rejoinder "to get back to winning ways, Roper to score 3 and buy a
jug"
Saturday 19th Feb Away to Epsom (
The squad should be Wilsden,
Kentfield,
Richardo
Mighty Wimbo
Blommers Sobes Billers
Crampers
A.N.Other
Henners Gropes
Robby
[The a.n.other being an Epsom
player, Paddy still travelling]
Finally, the game gets under way
and we decide to play a "lets not string more than two passes
together" strategy . We're absorbing an awful lot of pressure and it's
only Richardo, going through another purple patch, that's keeping us in the
game. 10 mins, or so we're one goal down, then we cincede another. Paddy having
now arrived & warmed up comes on in place of a.n. other and the last period
of the first half are all Falcons. A half time talk by Sobes "look guys
defend better, don't concede anymore goals, we'll pull one back, then another ,
then we'll go on and win" - Easy game this isn't it?
Second half under way and Gropes
glides the ball neatly past their keeper. 10 minutes later he does it again, so
far so good, Sobes plan appears to be working. Then with 10 minutes to go,
Paddy produces a bit of the Roche magic he's been instilling in the Colts and
threads the ball through for Gropes to pick up on the edge of their D. Gropes
with only the keeper to beat, realises he's on a jug fluffs the shot and the
ball trickles harmlessly past the outside of the post.
So, we finish 2-2 as we did last week
against
Back to their clubhouse for a warm
down (Tea, sarnies & a real ale called Epsom sports club : session beer) -
which it is, but unfortunately we have to return to
Sunday 20th Feb - Vintage plate
Home to Bridgnorth [
We line up as Ricardo
Mighty Robby
PJ
Sobes RA
Roche Ellio
Henners
Cole Curtis
[with Mike Kyle (ex-Morris's,
ex-Hawks & now playing Abingdon 3's) on the bench]
We having elected to drop the
"lets not pass to each other" strategy go on the attack from the off,
with great results.
RA starting a passing move from
left-half, end up in their D and shoots, 1 - 0 Falcons. A few minutes later
Ellio, with the aid of a deflection nets, 2 - 0. Cole, as centre forward isn't
happy with this so he gets in on the act, 3 - 0. [Apologies if I've got goals 2 & 3 in
the wrong order, I was asleep when they were scored].
Half time comes, and the team talk
is basically "more of the same, please"
Second half, Sobes picks up the
ball inside their half, mesmerises their defence with his dribbling skills and
cracks in a classic from the edge of the D, 4 - 0. Mighty (probably because his
snoring is distracting the defence) is replaced by Mike Kyle. Then Paddy, after
a bit of side-line coaching from Jan (CKC) - [creator of the killer chilli]
crashes a shot against the keepers pads and nets the rebound, 5 - 0. Which
proves to be the final score.
Everyone back to the clubhouse
where the killer chilli accompanied by garlic bread and jacket potatoes is
awaiting us. The meal is washed down with an excellant Merlot (donated by the
oppo). Several jugs of Ruddles also aiding digestion.
Falcons
- Next round is March 6th (Henners will be in contact), please make yourself
available for the 5th (Home to Woking Pitt Elders) if you're not involved on
the 6th.
Havant – home –
Guinness
is a glorious drink. It is well worth considerable in depth study. The beauty
of it when first poured, when it is a grey/brown colour. It is at this stage
when it should be left to stand and settle and then, once it has become a rich
black in colour, topped up to the full pint with a white, creamy head. Skilled
providers will ensure, at this latter stage, that you get the outline of a
shamrock set into the head. At the B & RA the shamrock can sometimes look
more like an oak leaf, even a dandelion, or sometimes simply a large raindrop.
At the summit of the Guinness brewery in
This
final part of the brewery visit is a bit gleaming chrome and glass, but just
down the road from the hotel we were staying in was “the real thing”. A proper
drinkers pub. No food, smallish front bar, a back bar with a hatch for serving
drinks, and a covered side passage where you stood in the side door of the pub
to get a drink. Was it busy? Was it busy! At any point in time some 10 pints of
Guinness stood, settling confident in the knowledge that any moment someone
would order and they would have no delay in being served. Take one settled
three quarter pint, top it up, form the shamrock and there you go. Marvellous!
As it got more crowded, newcomers through the front door were served over the
heads of those squashed at the bar by
the landlord standing on a stool behind the bar, taking orders which he
relayed to the staff, and passing the drinks out to the customers over the
heads of those at the bar. In the window seat sat four people with a variety of
instruments playing diddly diddly music. What more could one want?
Thus I
missed the draw at Epsom and the opportunity to share a pint with Wimbo. It was
great to hear that he had turned out on our behalf, and equally good to get my
tee shirt back, now some two years older! It was also with disbelief that I
read, and re-read to be sure, of RA’s goal on the Sunday in the “Plate”. Was
this his first for the Hawks? However,
after this surfeit of “training” I had
the rest of the week to warm down before our scheduled league encounter with
Havant. Thankfully their Vets side was not as mobile as their 1st
team who just scraped home against our “1s”. However we contrived to make them
look a threat and went in to halftime only 1-0 up, thanks to an Ellio shortie.
After the shortages of the week before we were fielding a full bench and with
The Pope on the whistle, we played:
Ricardo
Mighty RA
Blommers Ellio
Billers
Henn
Crampers JPAR Huggie
Gropes Groff Rogues
at some
time or other.
The
sharp talking to and substitutions at half time did the trick and we were
quickly pegged back to one all. However all that good work on the training
pitch began to tell and we ran out 6 – 1 winners with two goals each from Ellio
(both shorties!), Huggie and Gropes. Three people on jug avoidance but only one
did the decent thing and actually bought one – well done Gropes. Havant
thoroughly enjoyed the Killer Chilli and asked that their appreciation be
passed on to the chef. We ensured that the Ruddles played its part in the
proceedings before departing and looking forward to the weekend ahead where we
entertain
5th March –
Only
when all the social bookings had been confirmed, and the selected establishment
pronounced itself now fully booked for Mothering Sunday, did Deeside Ramblers
decide not to grace us with their presence. I was consigned to heating up a
dish of stew and cooking some potato’s whilst the rest of the family met at the
Elm Tree, Iffley at
Talking
about a long time it was JPAR who admitted that the last time he had managed a
hat trick was in the late sixties, as far as he could remember. Without having
a detailed discussion with Jan I am forced to believe this, albeit I am sure it
was later than this (1970’s) when he was “Oh my Godding” it in
The
great thing about playing hockey in the Falcons is the camaraderie. We get on
so well together and, in the most part, with our oppo.
- We had
filled galsses awaiting
-They
reciprocated over the Killer Chilli.
JPAR put
his hand in his pocket, got Angie to pour one of her 4 pinters, and disappeared
never to be seen again! Once finally tracked down he claimed that
Apart
from JPAR, those that featured included:
Ricardo
Mighty The Pope RA
Ellio Sobes
Billers
Henn JPAR
Gropes Huggie Groff Rogues
Their
keeper was awarded their “man of the match” award. They scored 1, we scored 7
involving the affor mentioned hat trick person, Huggie, Sobes, Ellio and I
can’t remember whom got our other one (Huggie or Groff?). I felt guilty re. my
misses which could explain that other jug but…………………………..
Saturday 12th March, Falcons away to
Will Red-nose day be followed by
red-face day?
PJ has managed, by fair means or
foul to cajole 13 [12 if Paddy is n/a] to travel, with the intention of himself
and one other playing half a game each and sharing the umpiring.
Saturday, cuttteslowe 1.15 meet.
PJ's plans are somewhat upset.
Bad news - The Senators, away to
Good news - They both reckon that
they'll be able to get from
More bad news - Paddy is n/a &
Henners only wants half a game.
Good news - PJ has phoned
So, we are eight at Cutteslowe,
with four going direct.
More good news all twelve [with
Batts cutting it fine] are there for the start. We line up as
Pearce
Mighty PJ
Ellio
Sobes Billers
Groff
Batts
Cole
Huggie Crampers
With Henners coming on for the
second-half.
We, despite PJ's pre-match chat,
start off with a bit of "faffing & fannying". Fortunately
Penalty corner to Falcons -
Crampers pushes out to Sobes, square pass to Groff [0 - 1] Falcons.
10 minutes later Crampers receives
in their D, pass to Batts [0 - 2]
Which is how it stays until
half-time. Their no 1 umpire decides that the help(!!!) he's getting from the
other touchline is'nt useful. so he opts to do the 2nd half alone - Good move
by him.
Henners comes on and three of our
forwards switch to the 12 minute rolling sub formation we've lovingly adopted
for such occasions.
PJ, obviously bored with
proceedings, clatters an oppo stick as he's about to shoot. Penalty flick,
Back into
Two more goals, Huggie & Crampers
leave Falcons 0 - 5 up at the end.
So, we maintain a Falcons tradition
of "a cleansheet from a guest keeper" [Sorry Ricardo, had to mention
it again]. We'ed also, apparently, won this league for the third time in
succession [Pretty good going - the leagues only been running for three years]
Meanwhile back in their bar,
Crampers decides that it's only fair that he buys a jug - For missing three
sitters [If that ever becomes a Falcons tradition, we're going to be in for
some extremely boozy evenings].
Next
week, final league game. Unfortunately away to Oxted but, it's still our
intention for some of us to get back for the end of season dinner - Hope to see
some of you there.
19th March – Oxted away
Whatever
happens the league is done and dusted. We were actually uncatchable some two
week ago. However it is better to win with style than to end up with an anti
climax. And it was with this ffeling that we approached Saturday 19th.
Oxted, bottom of the table and our furthest away game. At the same time
Big
events deserve special preparation and, mindful of this, Ricardo and I set off
for TWH The White Hart at Fyfield on A420) Thursday evening. Now TWH has not
featured highly in match reports of late, which is a shame. The owner of the
last 18 months has done an excellent job with the place. He has opened out the
ground floor restaurant area and serves “fine food” (good, but not cheap). He
has retained the drinking end pretty much unchanged, but widened the area
between the two making drinking and passing easier. Best of all he has retained
the tradition of supplying good, real ale and always has three or four
available on the pumps. His regular bitter is “White Horse”. Not surprising as,
since taking over TWH, Ian has started a small brewery in Stanford In The Vale
where this is brewed. And very good it is too: more towards the taste of
Morlands than Morrells. However our attempts to et a taste were somewhat
delayed by a drunk or something local bursting through the door and trying to
entice the barman/manager outside. When he refused he was head butted and his
assailant departed. Our patience was
rewarded in the form of free pints, consequently it seemed only fair to stay
and actually buy a second round. Then it was off to the B & RA where they
were celebrating St Patricks Day, but, by this stage it had descended to
karaoke! Plenty of locals there and a couple more pints before retiring.
Friday
night in the B & RA was very quiet, presumably after all that karaoke the
night before. Consequently we left the same day we arrived after a few IPAs in
order to ensure that I was up in good time to walk the dog by the river behind
Farmoor Reservoir before an early lunch and then await collection by Ricardo.
As I returned from dog walking Wimbo phoned to ensure that he had the logistics
for the Dinner that night correct:
Then it
was off to Cutteslowe where most were already gathered. Cars were organized to
allow the 4 that were returning for the dinner to make an immediate getaway in
the “Pope Mobile” and off we went. Thanks to some magic number on his phone
Billers kept us informed of the traffic hold ups on the M25 so we diverted onto
M4 to miss the worst. Through the miracles of Rog Nav we made it direct to
their pitch in good time and realized we were in for a warm afternoon. It was
great to see that despite the game being so distant and, from a league point of
view, meaningless, we still had 12 players. We lined up:
Ricardo
Mighty RA
Blommers Sobes
Billers
Henn PC
Huggie JPAR DC
With
Rogues on the bench for the 1st 12
minutes.
Twas a
funny old game! Difficult to know how to describe it. Should I mention the
clinical finishing or the wanton jug avoidance? I could talk about our total
domination, or how we fell apart and should have conceded at least 1 goal. I
think I will settle for saying a jug is due from Rogues and either sside of
these three were classics from JPAR and Sobes, and a clean sheet for Ricardo.
So, with
After a steady pre-match warm up, we
stayed for just one more stretch
following the departure of the Falcons
senior pro's......reminiscing
"Oxmill" days if I remember
correctly.... and watching HG get into a lather over the highly toned legs of
Joanne from Eaton (well
Once autopilot got us back to the dressing
room, there appeared no time for showing and kit became dispersed to all 4
corners of the room.... What turned out to be a steady start highlighted a
clear lack of match fitness from the one match per year Falcon, requiring the
need for rolling substitutes to be considered... however, although HG had
checked into the ground, he was nowhere to be found... and so a "Time
Out" was agreed...!
After a short break, action recommenced at
a slow pace which really went nowhere.... culminating in stifled crys of
"Oh no not again...!" from both sides....!
Somehow though...... and even the match
replay systems from 3 television networks missed it, but Hawks scored a very
soft opening goal leaving both teams in total dismay.... with umpires simply pointing back to the
centre spot for a re-start....! One nil
to Hawks...! ! .... ? Following
discussions with the officials, another "Time-Out" was called by the
home team...
Daylight saw a rejuvenation of the old
chap from Hawks who, clearly playing way out of position for most of the game,
reverted back to his old playing position of full back... Very soon the crowd
were pleased to enjoy the remembered "Rock of Gibraltar" form which
made him famous in that position over many years and after a messy goalmouth
scramble
The crowd were then treated to a fine
comeback by a rejuvenated Falcon's defender who ran from defence through the
whole of the opposition team to crash
And there the scores remained.... a
slightly disappointing, but with all things taken into account, well deserved
2-1 win to the Falcon at full time...
I am pleased to report that a re-match is
being considered.... A prospect that looked very unlikely at half-time....!
The after match hot chilli was replaced
with a cold poultice and so far
things have recovered well.....!
See you at the next outing...!
Easter came and Easter went. The DOHA returned from Lanzarote just in
time to enjoy this long weekend and, having been collected from the railway
station at 22:10 on Maunday Thursday, wasted no time in testing the G & Ts
in the B & RA where we were invaded by quite a crowd of late arrivals. In
contrast Good Friday night was very quiet but things livened up on Sunday when
there was a singer in residence and the previous landlord, Gavin, was in
generous form and not in the mood to retire early. Thursday brought a surprise
phone call to invite me to be a late sub for the Kingerlee team who were
attending the Wantage Town FC dinner where Paul Parker (ex Man U & England)
and a comedian were featuring. Like many club bars Wantage featured a joice of
keg beer resulting in Ricardo & I going for the Guinness. All was going
down nicely until it ran out with about 45 minutes to go! Not good news. I
awoke with a headache Friday morning but recovered in time to WFH (Work from
home) and make a few trips to the tip as we are trying to empty the contents of
our loft. We have carefully accumulated a large miscellany of items over the
years, but no have to decide what to do as we are having the area converted
into a bedroom with en-suite. So, Friday was a headache!
By
We were keen to learn, Friday night, what fee he had received and
whether he had negotiated repeat fees. He denied that any money had changed
hands and even claimed to have had to buy the flowers himself! (We have spotted
the denuded daffs around the war memorial!). As for
It was warm and sunny on Saturday.
Our actual line up was:
Ricardo
PJ Humph
Blommers Sobes Billers
DC PC Huggie
Crampers Rogues
With Hughbie on the whistle and Robbo leading the cheer leaders.
After a few quick ZZZZs at home it was off to Cotswold House for a
Cumnor group Indian Takeaway to
celebrate Neil and
Sunday 10th
April –
A much disrupted weekend. The death of the Pope caused the Royal Wedding
to be postponed. In order not to clash with this “fixture” our match was taking
place on the Sunday. However this only presented fresh problems. We were
missing our Cup Captain and organizer, Henn. There were a number of reasons
circulating as to why he wasn’t playing:
·
He was doing the flower arrangements for the Royal
Wedding.
·
He was trying to get the flowers from
·
He was singing in the choir.
·
Jane had him by the short and curlies
·
He had been banned by a
I
assure you the truth is there somewhere! The rest of us were taking things
seriously. A “steady” training session Friday night followed by an abstemious
day Saturday ensured a bright eyed start to Sunday. We assembled at Cutteslowe
for our trip to
“Rog
Nav” ensured a trouble free journey, unlike the “Sat Nav” that took a young
lady to the Eaton bank of the River Thames and told her that “You have now
arrived” when her destination was the Ferry Inn on the opposite bank – and
there is no bridge or ferry! Good stuff this technology. I recognized the
ground as being the place where Adastral used to compete in a mixed 7 a side
tournament back in the sixties. My 1st visit being in 67 when we
managed a win I believe. No today!
Despite
the inclusion of C, K & TB we were outplayed by a fitter and more
competitive side, losing 5-1, with Clarkie getting the credit for our goal.
Their pies chips and beans was very welcome afterwards along with a couple of
jugs of Theakstons and then we departed to stop off at Chieveley to check on
Dobbin. A welcome addition to the Falcons watering holes this.
For
the technically minded our squad was:
Ricardo
Mighty, Ellio, The Barron
Clarkie Sobes
RA
Robbo JPAR PC
DC Kylie Rogues
So,
our cup run endeth for this year one short of an appearance in the finals at
Old Louts in May. Probably just as well as Henn was due to be bell ringing that
weekend.
Sat 16th April –
Light
training on Thursday at TWH involving some excellent beer from White Horse
brewery and something very acceptable from
We
were all feeling it by the end of Saturday afternoon. They looked young, fit
and fast and had numerous subs. Our judgement proved correct. For once we
cannot make fun out of their coordinated warm up routine. However, we nearly
caused an upset which they would rightly have though unjust. They scored from a
ludicrously awarded PF. We put our justly awarded one wide and had a good goal
disallowed. Humphs goal stood, Ricardo played a blinder along with our defence,
Mighty was spotted in their D during play (!) and it ended 3-1. We were:
Ricardo
Mighty The Pope
Ellio Sobes
Billers
DC JPAR PC
Humph Rogues.
Their
catering has improved and we enjoyed the pasta and meat and a few jugs before
returning for a final round at The Trout. Then it was off to Cumnor Village
Hall for an evening of gambling (craps, roulette etc) all dressed up in black
tie and serviced by Hook Norton. Splendid party.
Sat 24th April –
Olton & WW home
Olton
& West Warwick beat us comprehensively in the cup last season and lost to
Indian Gym in the final. This season they are back in the final on 22nd
May where they are due to face Isca, the side that put us out this year. We
suspected, therefore, that it would be a pretty good squad that Olton brought
to NOSC. The Pope took divine guidance and decided that we needed to get some
legs into the squad to bolster our chances, especially as Crampers, Ellio and
JPAR had declared themselves NA. JPAR was under orders to complete the
gardening activity rudely interrupted the previous Saturday by a large lady in
tweeds sporting a blue rosette who, discovering our man in the garden hailed
him with:
“Excuse
me, are you the gardener?”
I
understand that the negative response had a fuschia in it, and JPAR is now an official
floating voter. Evidence of Sunday does appear to show that this unfortunate
encounter has not only put him off voting Tory, but also put him off gardening.
Still, what’s the point in having three sons and having to mow the lawn
yourself?
The
build up to the Saturday match had been serious. Cumnor Cricket Club was
stocked with a fine range of real ales in order to celelebrate St Georges Day
on Saturday. I should have attended cricket nets there Friday night before
sampling the fare but, unfortunately, forgot all about it until a phone call
reminded me whilst sitting in the Chinese awaiting the arrival of supper. By
then it was too late. So, it was some two and a half hours later that I
ventured out with the ex-mayor who had been to nets and was, therefore, a
little ahead on the beer stakes. We decided we would take in The Bear en-route
to the CC. The B &RA had some particularly fine alternative to IPA on the
pumps (Tanners) and it was going down
well. Numbers also grew steadily and, one way or another, we never quite left. Having
got rid of the slight hang-over Saturday morning it was dog walking time around
the river bank behind Farmoor reservoir. Very pleasant and peaceful.
This
tranquility was interrupted by news from the builders. The house is having the
equivalent of a “brain transplant”. The
All
had been going well. A concerted family effort had emptied the attic of all
useful stuff. Some had been taken to the second hand shop, some to the tip, and
some piled up in a spare bedroom pending re-storage. The remaining “stuff” had
been put in the builders skip by the bjuilder in order to get at the floor,
take up the boarding and put in stronger joists. The new stairs were in and the
new floor almost complete – brain transplant looking good and first two stage
payments made. Then came the snag. The en-suite lacks headroom. You could have
a bath, but to have a shower you would have to stand with head through roof.
Same goes for a man having a pee! Latter OK as one can admire the great view,
but not so good if it is p***ing down with rain. And we want a shower, not a
bath! We could put in shower OK, but then there is insufficient height for a
door – could always crawl in. OK, I give in, what do you suggest Mr Brain
Surgeon. To get a bigger brain in you need to raise the cranium. That will have
to be it then – raise the roof: a dormer. I think my hang over has returned!
So,
we lined up against O & WW with:
Ricardo
Mighty Humph
Blommers Sobes Billers
DC GTC
PC H Rogues
And
won 2-1 with goals from DC & Rogues to their class conversion from their
left winger (a neat lob over advancing keeper). They were a good side, but our
imports definitely helped. A suitable warm down prevented a later entry to CCC
to take in the St Georges Day late atmosphere and ale owing to a temporary
relapse on the home front – fell asleep in front of telly! However this ensured
that I was rather chirpier next morning when reporting for Godfather duty at
Toby Roches’ confirmation. Some were obviously suffering! Abingdon church was
resplendent in the sunshine and a number of seats reserved for those
accompanying the tbc. We were fortunate in being part of the Roche party as,
not only did we get into the back row but we were aalso in the “cheap seats”
along with the Bennetts. What was good about this position, and what made it
cheap was the fact that they were so busy trying to ensure that they got
through the collection without keeping The Bish. waiting at the end of the hymn
that they never made it to us with the collection plate. We all skipped coffee
with The Bish in the Rectory and scuttled back to Sunningwell for Champers and
some excellent provisions – no chilli!
But
all too soon it was off to NOSC to join “Dereks Day”: the Adastral and mixed
hockey re-union in memory of the late Derek (Gus) Holton. This proved, for the
second year, a very enjoyable gathering and game with much reminiscing and
reviewing of the memorabilia on display. All in all, once we had sorted “The
Brain”, and excellent weekend!
Sat 7th May – COHC
Venerables – home
The
week leading up to the Bank Hol had been good. Only one day when I was required
to drive to Filton for work (Monday), then it was the dogs holiday – three days
in a B&B just up stream from Boscastle. Yes, it was a stream today as it
was two years ago when we were last there. However the deluge that occurred shortly
after our last visit had turned the stream into a raging torrent some eight
feet deep washing trees, rocks and other debris rapidly towards Boscastle.
Those
who have seen the pictures on TV will have seen how cars were washed out of the
car park at the bottom of “the stream”and out to sea. Today the banks on either
side of the stream are testament to this devastation.
It
is a lovely part of the country with some great beaches on which we could run
the dog. The B&B itself is also ideal as we were accommodated in a former
stable with a courtyard outside where we could leave the dog whilst we went
into the house for breakfast. Evening meals were taken in pub in Boscastle
itself on the first night but the second two nights we dined at Trebarwith
Strand. At high tide the sea washes up a small gap in the cliff, over a slipway
and onto the road at particularly high tides. The pub is on the side of the
cliff looking down into this gap and on along the coast – what a setting. At
this time of year, with some good weather but not many people around, it was
idyllic. When all 80 odd tables are occupied with eager diners it could be
slightly different! Same goes for the pub at Morwenstow that dates back to
Saxon times. A lovely sunny spot to enjoy a lunch time drink before returning
to
stretches of golden sand, rock pools and good
rocks to climb over. The sunshine combined with a breeze gave us glowing faces
and red noses!
All
too soon we were heading back up the M5 towards home to inspect the current
state of the “brain transplant”. More problems! Whilst we had decided to “raise
the cranium” in order to be able to “stand and deliver” it now looked as though
there was still only sufficient standing space for 2 out of 3. The three are:
shower, wash basin and loo. Two out of the three, says Mr Brain Surgeon (Phil
the builder) fit fine. The third is still squeezed somewhat under the eaves. It
was agreed this could not be the shower, so we are left with the choice of
standing at an angle to clean ones teeth or to pee. With no walls,plaster board
or anything else in place to prove exactly what angle of dangle might be
necessary we are in a quandary. Much laying out of pieces of wood on the floor
to simulate where the walls will be and the impact of the eaves ensues, but no
decisions made.
Oh
bugger. It’s not looking good. Time for a beer.
Further
liquid was taken on board on the Thursday evening (5th) when, in the
company of all my family, we enjoyed an excellent meal back at my favourite
haunt – TWH – the White Hart at Fyfield. Splendid drop of White Horse Wayland
Smithy washing down some very tasty and well served food. No better way to
celebrate a birthday.
So
it we came to our last Saturday match of the season.
COHC – City Of
Full
back – Kentfield and Robson
Half
back – Wilson, Sobey and Billers
Forward
– H, Humph, Groff and Rogues.
Venerables
were another example of a side who play at a slightly higher and younger level
than ourselves (Mercian Masters), and it showed. They were quicker and sharper
and won 2-1. We looked like we needed the game. Lets hope we can do better when
we entertain “The Swaggies”, an Australian touring side of supposed vintage,
but unknown standard. We suspect they will be “useful”.
Thursday 12th May
– Falcons last match of 2004/5 season - The Swaggies, home.
First
of all, a Henn update. Several weeks ago Tony Henman went into Papworth
hospital to have a leaky heart valve repaired. This condition had been known
about and monitored since he was in early teens, but had only now been deemed
needy of rectification. Unfortunately, not only did the leak prove larger than
thought, other complications were discovered and, consequently, Tony spent a
considerable amount of time in intensive care. Indeed, there was an initial
period when things were definitely touch and go. Happily he has improved and is
now back at home. He is obviously still pretty weak and tires quickly, but
hopes to be back on the Falcons wing before Christmas. We all look forward to
that and wish him a speedy and full recovery. Our best wishes to him and to
Jane.
A
week or two ago we were out looking at carpet for the attic extension when my
wife suggested buying me a new armchair. How kind, I thought, and what a good
idea for two reasons:
-
I frequently get “the fidgets” in my legs in the evening when sitting in our
existing arm chairs or sofa. This discomfort is alleviated by moving and
sitting in a more upright style of seat.
-
I had a birthday upcoming.
So
it was that we went to Vineys at Abingdon and “sat around”. My credentials for
the chair were: high back that I could rest my head against without being
forced to admire the ceiling, firm seat that was not low and with support to
the back. Much sitting around and we arrived at a choice of three that quickly
resolved to one, this one being half price. I thought I was on to a good thing
here, a very comfortable chair at a bargain price in material that fitted
current colour scheme.
Then
However,
the damage was done and
As
it happened we did not need the four weeks. Number 1 son is in the process of
moving to an unfurnished cottage in Culham and quickly “booked” the suite.
However, if anyone has good second hand freezer, washing machine and/or cooker
going he is in the market. We, it appears, are going to be sitting on the floor
for two weeks whilst we await the new suite.
Thankfully
the order for the suite was placed 24 hours before we visited John Lewis at
Preparations
for our Thursday game against the unknown Swaggies were all in hand. Jan was in
command of main course, PC was masterminding puds/cheese & bickies and
Crampers was treading the grapes.
I
made an early exit from Filton and was enjoying cup of tea at home when my
phone rang. “G’day Rogan, it’s Warren. We are at your ground.”
After
a considerable amount of warm up by the Swaggies we got ourselves organized and
prepared to line up:
Ricardo
Blommers RA
PJ Sobes
Billers
PC JPAR
Crampers H Rogues
With
Mighty, Humph and Ellio on the bench and coming on for second half. Robbie and
Judy umpired.
This
was the Swaggies 9th match of their 10 match European tour. They had won 6 and
lost two. True their players were in the upper fifties plus age bracket, but a
good proportion had represented
Their
“professionalism” continued post match – as I was walking away from the
changing room having showered and en-route to getting the oppo jug in they were
just returning from the pitch post warm down! Eventually we got them seated for
an excellent meal, and we all enjoyed a convivial evening consuming a bit of
wine and beer. All too soon (for some, guess not for Angie!) they were
departing having awarded us a baseball cap, pennant and a shirt to their ladies
elected man of the match – Sobes.
A
very enjoyable end to a very enjoyable season.
A
big thank you to Ricardo for organizing our fixtures and to PJ for organizing
us.
2004 – 2005 Season
Retrospective
The
season started and ended with some “friendly” matches.
Our
own cup outings were not prolonged: we lost 7-1 in our 1st match
against Isca who went on to face Olton in the final, before beating Bridgenorth
5-0 then losing to Southampton 5-1 in The Plate semi final.
However,
in the middle of all this was the league: Wessex Super Vets Alliance. In its
third year we won it for a third time, losing one and drawing two of our 21
league matches. We lost to one of the
=============Season
2004/5===========+++++===== Previous
Averages
Pos Team Points Played Ave
2004/5 2003/4 2002/3
1
2
3 Polytechnic 41 22 1.86 1.14 0.00
4
5
6 Amersham 31 21 1.48 1.15 0.00
7
8 Reading 26 1.8 1.44 1.64 1.25
9 Wokingham 27 20 1.35 1.70 1.88
10
11
12 Epsom 22 20 1.10 1.71 1.53
13
14 Havant 18 22 0.82 0.86 1.11
15 Haslemere 15 19 0.79 1.05 0.93
16 Oxted 13 19 0.68 0.22 0.35
Scorers
for the whole season :-
Sobes 16
Rogues 14
Paddy 11
Gropes 8
Crampers 7
Twizzle 6
PC,
Huggie, Ellio 5
Groff 4
Humph,
DC 3
Cookie 2
Henn,
RA, RC 1
Overall
we played 31, won 22, drew 2, lost 7, scored 96, conceded 46.
|
FALCONS 2004 - 2005 Season |
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Date |
Opposition |
H/A |
For |
Against |
Won |
Drawn |
Lost |
|
11-Sep |
|
|
4 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
18-Sep |
Chippenham |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
02-Oct |
|
|
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
09-Oct |
Haslemere |
scratched |
|
|
|
|
|
|
16-Oct |
Polytechnic |
A 1500 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
23-Oct |
Amersham & Chalfont |
A 1500 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
30-Oct |
|
|
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
06-Nov |
|
A |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
13-Nov |
|
|
1 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
20-Nov |
Wokingham |
A |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
27-Nov |
|
A |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
28-Nov |
ISCA
Vintage Cup |
A |
1 |
7 |
|
|
1 |
|
04-Dec |
|
|
5 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
11-Dec |
Amersham & Chalfont |
|
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
|
|
08-Jan |
|
A |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
15-Jan |
|
|
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
22-Jan |
|
A |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
29-Jan |
Wokingham |
|
4 |
3 |
1 |
|
|
|
05-Feb |
|
|
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
12-Feb |
|
A |
2 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
19-Feb |
Epsom |
A |
2 |
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
20-Feb |
Bridgenorth
- Plate |
H |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
26-Feb |
Havant |
|
6 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
05-Mar |
|
|
7 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
12-Mar |
|
A |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
19-Mar |
Oxted & Club Dinner |
A |
5 |
0 |
1 |
|
|
|
02-Apr |
|
|
0 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
10-Apr |
|
A |
1 |
5 |
|
|
1 |
|
16-Apr |
|
A |
1 |
3 |
|
|
1 |
|
23-Apr |
Olton & WW |
|
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
07-May |
City Venerables |
|
1 |
2 |
|
|
1 |
|
12-May |
Australian XI |
|
0 |
1 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Totals |
|
96 |
46 |
22 |
2 |
7 |
Season 2005 – 2006
A
long, lazy and idle summer is now coming to an end. The ashes are won, the
Hobos cricket team have completed their season, holidays have been taken, and
all that summer training is about to be tested on the pitch. Whilst there has
been a singular lack of summer hockey for Falcons players, work has continued
for most with the exception of the part timers of the teaching profession
amongst us. The lighter mornings and evenings that summer provides has made my
daily journey to Filton,
Why
cannot I say?
Because
the 12th September was a target date set to be 1 month in advance of
the real date.
But
the machine hasn’t even been fully built and tested on the supplier site yet,
let alone broken down for transportation to Filton (2 weeks), for re-assembly
and re-testing (4 weeks), at which point I can get my hands on it for testing
(2 weeks) followed by 6 weeks of completion work.
True,
but we cannot say we are late until the real date is passed. “!!!!!!******” Cloud cuckoo land!
Still,
it has been a pleasant summer with many happy hours spent sitting in or around
“the erection” which still endures at the bottom of the garden. The tedium of
work was broken by an enforced “holiday” at home recuperating from a hernia
operation for 3 weeks. I could get used to retirement I think. Two weeks later
and it was off to
“the coming season is now redesignated
00/01 PS ( PS standing for "post sobem " - note correct use of
accusative of..... Sobes Sobis m. meaning " the great Sobes" )”
Thus 01/00/01 reportedly had a line up of:
Wilsdon Robson Wilson Roche Kaluza
Billington Cole Crampton-smith Bailey
Griffith Curtis Henman
in
some loose form or other, including umpire. They, rumour has it, made a
cracking start rattling 3 goals in without reply. Then the pre-season training
really told and, in the second half, scored one more but conceded 3. We look
forward to Groffs jug, presumably at our 1st home game?!? Nearly
half the team then took at least a fortnight off to recover leaving the line up
for 02/00/01, the
SAP (Senators Andy Pearce)
Robbo
Humph
RA
“H” Billers
PC
Groff Twizzle Crampers
Rogues
Falcons Report – Saturday 24 September –
Olton &
The summer has
not been kind to our training arrangements. Keen readers will have recognized
the infrequency of mentions given to TWF (The White Hart, Fyfield). It has to
be said this is not due to the condition of the beer served. The cellar there
remains well looked after offering a regular choice of 4 -5 real ales including
Ian Rogers (the landlord) own White Horse bitter and the even better Waylands
Smithy, also from the White Horse brewery owned by Ian. Unfortunately, whilst
the beer is good, as is the welcome given, the attractions are insufficient to
tempt the driver from Cumnor except on an occasional expedition.
The B & RA
(Bear & Ragged (Arse)Staff in Cumnor) has finally succumbed to
re-development and has closed with potential re-opening in November (?). Whilst
this has been no loss to the Falcons Good Beer Guide it has reduced the choice
of venue for Friday night training. For the pedestrian trainer the choice is
now limited to CCC (Cumnor Cricket Club) and TV. No, it is not that bad, we are
not moribund in front of the electronic goldfish bowl: TV stands for The Vine
in Cumnor. TV is a disappointment. It has potential in that it is a decent,
oldish building, has a reasonable cellar with some good beer (inc. Old Hookey),
but………. But it lacks welcoming staff/management which is surprising given the
temporary closure of its local rival (B & RA). Not only that but it appears
to pride itself in closing on time, even to the extent of calling last orders
at
Which leaves us
with CCC. This has been a regular port of call on a Thursday throughout the
Hobos cricket season and of an early evening on Saturdays to take in the climax
of Cumnor 1st or 2nd XI cricket team with a number of
familiar hockey faces featuring: Martin Hunter, Julian Easterbrook and others.
There is no better way of spending a sunny summers Saturday early evening than
with a pint in the sunshine watching a few runs being scored and some wickets
falling. However, on a Friday night at this time of year it is not quite the
same. Good beer: Deuchars and I have forgotten what the other one is! But you
have to put up with TV at one end or music at the other, and it isn’t a pub.
So, if pedestrian,
we struggle. However, if we can persuade someone to drive our horizons open up
and we are spoiled for choice depending upon how far we care to travel.
Unfortunately that little gem of a local, The 8 Bells at Eaton, has been closed
all summer, but may have just re-opened. We must give it a whirl. The Thatched
Tavern at
I can, however,
recommend The Plough at
“Where are you
drinking?” from Wilsdon.
We look
enquiringly at our driver who gives clearance to his joining us, and so we are
forced to sup a few more. Then someone remembers that TWH also have a beer festival
and they have live music! Our weak willed driver takes us there. The beer
wasn’t as good (apart from the Waylands), but the music was enjoyable and,
apparently, we danced or, at least wobbled! I am told we were taken home around
So, at the moment
the FGBG (Falcons Good Beer Guide) and FGFG (Falcons Good Food Guide) is as
follows using the following symbols:
Balls for the
standard of the cellar (good real ale, well kept)
Sticks for the
standard and cost of food
Jock Strap for
the overall ambiance/comfort of the establishment
With a maximum
rating of 4 in any category.
TV has 2 balls
and one jock
TWH has 3 balls,
2 jocks, 2 sticks
PAH has 4 balls,
3 jocks, 3 sticks
Fishes has no
balls, 2 sticks, 2 jock straps
Miller has 2
balls, 2 sticks, 2 jock straps
Flowing Well 2
balls, 2 jocks, ? sticks
Further
recommendations welcome.
Meantime,
following an enjoyable Hobos dinner at CCC which eventually ended around
Wrong, we have 12
as I am not the only person to have been notified of Groffs non availability
and now we also have GTC (Garry The Coach) lined up. So PJ has to implement the
good old Horace Batchelor Infradraw method that rolling subs allows these days
and we line up:
Ricardo
H Robbo
Crampers PJ
Billers
PC GTC
DC Huggie Breezie
Rogues (operating the HBI across the front line).
They, as befits
losing finalists of the Over 50s Cup last season, are younger than us, fitter
than us, and take their chances better than us. They win 4 -1 with GTC getting
our goal and Rogues committing OGR (open goal refusal). We drink more than
them, once we got served!
Back at the Club
house we discover Mighty lurking behind the bar, so we have to stop for one or
two. We are at home (well, at Gosford
Pumpkin Night in Cumnor
is a traditional event that has been running for many years. The primary
purpose of the evening has always been a social event for the whole village
that raises money for charity. This purpose continues and will take place this
year on
Originally it was the night of the pumpkin
and marrow competition between Cumnor, Standlake and Bampton villages. Latterly
the competition has involved just Cumnor and Bampton. Traditionally it has also
been the night the “Mayor Of Cumnor” or “Keeper Of The Ducks” is elected and
introduced to his or her charges. This tradition also perseveres. A role of
honour traces the holders back over 40 years.
The Bear & Ragged Staff in Cumnor has
always been the venue for the event, but this year Cumnor Cricket Club is
acting as host whilst The Bear is undergoing refurbishment.
Monies raised are shared between
We are looking for innovative gifts that
can be auctioned **, and items for the raffle are also very welcome.
Acknowledgement of commercial donors will
be given.
If you have a donation please contact:
Rogan Meadows 07768 153274 or 01865 862322
Thanking you in anticipation.
** come on you lot, think of some
innovative gifts:
6 months free membership of a golf club?
free legal consultation?
signed tennis balls/shirts?
free meals?
free accomodation?
a night out with you!!??
Falcons Report:
Meantime, the build up to the Falcons first league
game went well. A special expedition was mounted to sample the wares of the
General Elliott in
As predicted a cast of thousands was
promised for Saturdays game when all the availability responses were received
on Monday. Advice was taken regarding the methods that should be employed in
rolling on and off substitutes, something that is not as straightforward as it
might appear when vets are involved. We appear to have a tendancy to
"seize up" once taken off and, thus, are not good at rejoining the
fray. More muscles succumb to damage under these circumstances than any other.
However, we prepared for our tried and tested "Horace Batchelor InfraDraw"
method of substitutions with an expected 13 players. This number was to be
further reduced by the clever tactic of getting Rogues to meet the opposition
at NOSC and re-direct them to
This tactic almost backfired as, in
the event, we ended up with only 11 players, including Rogues the Re-director.
however, the judicious use of his mobile phone illicited the fact that Amersham
had arrived at Gosford and there was no point in standing around any longer at
NOSC.
We duly lined up:
Ricardo
Mighty Humph
Blommers Sobes
Welly
Henn
JPAR Huggie Crampers
Rogues
with PJ on the whistle.
With Blommers, Sobes and JPAR back in
the fold we were confident of plenty of possession and a not over exercised
left wing. Just as well as he should still have been waiting for Amersham at
NOSC. Amersham were present in numbers and looking earnest and efficient. We
were a 4 letter word that means rubbish. Consequently we turned around 2 - 0
down and had a severe talking to at the interval with the prediction that the
next goal would be all important.
So we went 3 - 0 down and continued
to flounder on the slow Gosford track. About the only thing in our favour being
the fact that the sun was getting into their keepers eyes and we were now going
downhill (literally and physically). Then, at a shortie, Sobes blasted the ball
12 inches outside the near post in the confident knowledge that Crampers would
be there to deflect the ball into the net. Correct! And Amersham wheels came
off, JPAR got one, Sobes got one and Henn blasted the ball between the keepers
legs from an impossible angle. They missed an open goal when it was easier to
score than kick the ball, but they chose the difficult option! We came away
smirking, got a couple of jugs of Ruddles Orchard to comfort them and fed them
seconds of Killer Chilli.
They went away magnanimous in defeat
and looking to reap revenge upon Hawks in the Over 40s Cup next Sunday! New one
on us! Alliance League reports their captain as commenting:
This was nearly the opening day shock
result. Amersham led ten minutes into the second half and even when trailing
OHF by one goal, Steve (the third goalpost) Richman missed a simple tap in .
When asked by P J Wilson, who had umpired,
for an explanation for this extraordinary match the Chalfont captain, then on
his third pint, replied that beating the Alliance champions so early in the
season would have been a bad move
because his team would have been marked for the rest of the season'
Falcons
v.
Further
investigation on behalf of the “F”ing Good Guide (Falcons Beer/Food Guide) have
taken place this week. Sunday saw the monthly gathering of the ATS (Adastral
Training Squad) with the Chequers at Weston On The Green being selected as the
venue. This was our first visit since it ceased to serve Thai food. As we
walked along the path towards the entrance at the rear I had a worrying moment
as I looked in through the window: the bar had disappeared! This could be
terminal. Fear not, they have moved it from one end of the room to the other.
And it still serves good bitter. Menu now offers English food and, once we had
fought our way past the “we have run out of that” dramas, proved very
acceptable. Overall: 3 balls, two sticks, two jocks.
Tuesday found a
small gathering at CCC to celebrate Dick Townleys 70th. Well, warm
him up for the day. Dick used to feature for Adastral in the late ‘60s
alongside the likes of Robson (Dave & Judy), Timberlake, Meadows and
others. He recognized when to retire rather earlier than some but is still
looking good and maintaining the training. Friday took us to another birthday
celebration, this time at PAH (Plough @
Following my four
days at Filton I spent Friday WFH – working from home. Good weather meant that
it was very pleasant walking the dog by the river and the lawn got what I hope
to be its final mow of the year. Lack of a confirmation E-mail of team from The
Pope did not bode well, and this was confirmed at our meeting at Cutteslowe on
Saturday. A nightmare selection week for Falcons who were dependent upon the
needs of the Senators who were hostage to the Fledglings selection. Some late
evening wheeling and dealing meant that we had 11, just:
Ricardo
Robbo Humph
Blommers PJ
Billers
DC Twizzle
Huggie Crampers Rogues
With Hugh on the
whistle – very good to have you back, Hugh.
The plan was for
PJ to play 1st half at CH, then move to RH at half time with
Blommers dropping back, Robbo moving across, Humph moving forward, and Billers
moving across. Follow that?
Name the second
half line up, then.
The pressure of
the week had told on The Pope who was unsure whether he had dispatched Twizzle
to
We then made a
fatal mistake: having survived several scares, we scored first. Several more
scares ensued before they got a goal followed by a second. Two one down at half
time, not irretrievable! Six one down is irretrievable, even though we
flattered to deceive by scoring two in quick succession but there was to be no
magical turnaround like last week.Pitts The Youngers proved their complete
superiority by scoring a seventh to make it 7 – 3, our scorers being Crampers
and Huggie with two.
They were joined
by their Elders in the clubhouse and we enjoyed their Badger beer and curry
before heading back and, after some discussion, opting for
Sat 15/10/05 Reading, home
With a
Everything seemed to start off O.K., but then the first beer of choice
(?Long/High Jump?) went off on the second round and we were forced onto
alternative varieties which, whilst acceptable, were not of true clear quality.
Thus I have to report that the General Elliot has dropped a bollock (or ball)
on the ratings front. Partly as a consequence of all this we did not make to
much of the lack of anyone shouting last orders and got home at quite a
respectable hour. This meant that I could have a good lie in Saturday morning,
then walk the dog by the river, read the paper, get fish and chips for "brunch"
and then join the traffic jam that led from Botley to
Meanwhile a rather "experimental" line up of Falcons was emerging
for the game against
Ricardo
Blommers Huggie
STE Billers RA
DC Groff Twizzle
Crampers Rogues
with The Pope blowing.
We survived the first half, and won the second. Huggie was imperious at
the back, DC got our first, Twizzle two more and Ricardo noted (but did not
celebrate) his first clean sheet of the season. The KC was accompanied by RO
until we were evicted from the clubhouse (Killer Chilli, Ruddles Orchard). we
were content.
Rumours that this might have been the earliest that Ricardo had kept a
clean sheet proved false when previous seasons annals were analysed. Indeed it
seems that October is the regular month for 1st clean sheets:
Next week we travel to