t starting to feel like spring, and just like the daffodils
start to pop their heads above the ground, with this stage of the season the
Old Farts start to hit their straps.
It was a balmy and sunny morning, and the Farts stepped onto
the turf to meet the young Guns of UH2. The UH2 team was predominately college
players, and not only were their average age well below that of the Farts, but
also their average body weight was as well.
The Farts would certainly have the scrum advantage, although
UH2 felt they had the firepower out wide to counter that.
The last time these two teams met, UH raced away to a 4-2
lead in the first half, but crumbled under the grinding anaerobic onslaught of
the Farts players in the second to come away managing a draw.
During the warm-ups pre-match, the Farts practised PC’s and
especially layoff rather than direct shots.
Trapper provided some pre match tactics to the Farts, mainly
around hanging on till the pre-pubescent UH2 team has used all their nervous
sexual energy up (which they were too young to do anything with anyway) and
were stuffed, and then strike hard.
And so it started, with UH again opening the scoring within
minutes – Damn.
The Farts had a couple of breaks, and managed to get a PC
from the UH umpire, Big Toddy stepped up to receive, Dan slotted into the
Inside left lay off position with clear instructions from trapper to move
forward to receive the layoff.
Toddy trapped the pass, and slammed the ball inside the LH
upright, the ruse had worked as UH thought that Dan would get the layoff!
The rest of the half was pretty much determined defending,
and although UH scored toi take a 2-1 lead into the sheds at half time if it
was for the determination and gritty defensive efforts the Farts would have
found themselves down by more.
The second half started much more evenly, and it didn’t take too long before Nuts shuffled up into the RW position. Not
long after that Trapper got a pass (this requires special mention as it’s the first
ones he got almost all season), drove into the circle and drew the goalie
before throwing a square ball to nuts in front of an open goal. Needless to say
in his excitement (already had visions of the goal rewards) he completely
fluffed the shot. But it started to rattle the UH defence.
Things started to open up on the left hand side, another
ball from Dave R was deflected into the circle by Trapper and this time Nuts
put it away 2-2.
Upper Hutt started to loss energy and confidence, the game
was opening up and the Farts were really starting to exploit it with long balls
into the front three.
Phil moved into CF and instantly worked with Trapper to
create great space and provide through balls that were really pressuring the UH
defence.
Another long ball into the circle, Trapper tried to steer it
past the goalie but only managed to deflect it straight into his pads, but
quick as a flash he pounced on the rebound and slammed it into the backboard.
3-2 to the Farts.
UH really started to hang their heads down now, and the
Farts forwards were having a field day. Al stepped up his attacking efforts and
was dominate on the right flank, Vince was all over the UH players when they
had the ball and turning it over from defence into attack.
Another long ball into the circle from the inside right
position and Trapper saw his moment of glory, hooking the stick over the ball
he deflected it past the gobsmacked goalie into the right hand corner of the
backboard .
This was probably the best goal in recent Farts history in
the opinion of this humble reporter.
With only 5 or so minutes to go, trapper came off and let
Vince run the left hand sideline. UH seemed to get a late second wind, and
pulled one back but it was as pointless as Nonu trying to get a Super15
contract, the Farts had the win.
Goals
2 - Trapper
1 – Nuts
1 – Toddy
MVP
3- Vince – never stopped
back tackling and pressuring the UH players, and turned defence into attack,
effective also at Left wing and always willing to listen to the advice from his
elders (well mainly willy, and he’s damn old)
2 – Al - superb efforts on attack
and defence
1 – Trapper – didn’t get
sent off, scored 2 and set up another
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