Farts get 3-peat

In atrocious weather last night the Old Farts and The Young Guns Squared off in their second match of this season, and the third in 12 months.

During the warm ups it was cold with light drizzle, but just as the game was about to start a strong northerly whipped  the rain into a horizontal stinging sheet which the Farts faced into in the first half, it was reminiscent of watching that historic match  where the AB’s played into the storm against  the Wallaby’s at Athletic Park.

Maybe the weather was an omen, maybe it was that the Farts were for once reduced to just 13 players,  but the Farts played probably their worst game of the season.  Conversely the Young Guns came out fired up and seem to have melded into a better unit , with lots of deflection passes and good trapping skills.

For the first 5 mins the Farts had to weather not just the horizontal rain, but a ferocious period of play from the Young Guns. Although there were no shots on goal, the game was played deep into Farts defensive half.

However the Farts took their chances as they came, a short pass  to Trapper, who unbelievably trapped the ball, then in a dazzling 30 metre run up the flank beat two players and passed into the circle for Legs to smack home his first goal.

More pressure from the Guns, but again the Farts scored, with Richie Rich putting a great ball from IR towards the LH goal post (where Trapper was waiting to slot it home) but Big Needles stepped in and slammed it into the net from 5 metres.

Similar pressure again, but with a break out and some pressure of our own then Veitchy sent one goal wards, Legs managed to get a stick on it (just as it was about to go in the goal) to “claim” his second. Then he managed another to get his hat rick.

Nuts saved a goal off the line, a lifted shot that he partially trapped at nipple height (I could tell, it was cold) and then cleared away.

4-nil up, but with only about 16% of the territory, the Farts then conceded one, then another to go to the sheds 4-2 up.

Scotty had his usual 10 min Breather period just before half time and was fired up on his return at the start of the second half.

But the Young Guns came out fired up as well, and after concerted pressure had pulled it back to 4-3. It really looked like they had a chance to draw, maybe if they were lucky to win (and they seemed to have a lot of luck with umpiring decisions).

The Farts were however beginning to find gaps and get more attacks in (even a few PC’s). One attack ended in a 16 hit, and Trapper thought he would deliberately position himself in the circle to unnerve the Guns defence (well that was what he said but this reporter thinks he was too tired to run back). The ploy worked, they fluffed the hit, tamely topping it towards Scotty, who with outstanding vision and skill (is that a good enough mention Scotty?) saw Trapper unmarked in the circle and slammed a pass to his off side, Trapper reverse trapped, beat the sprawling goalie (maybe he fell over in surprise at the trap) and slammed the ball into the net from a very acute angle.

Shortly after more pressure and the Farts got a PC, Scotty hit out, then ran in for the return pass from Veitchy and slotted it high into the net. The Umpire deemed it the first “shot” and therefore too high.  However not long after Veitchy tried Trapper's tactical move of hanging around in the circle, a quick pass and he slotted the ball home.

The Guns scored another goal, this one a well worked drag flick By Jordan from a PC.  That was the last scoring moment and the game ended 6-4.

As mentioned, that was the worst Game the Farts had played, not seeming top get their rhythm,  and losing too much possession, particularly turning it over in the tackle. It also showed the improvement form the Young Guns that they are getting closer. The next show down is likely to be in the finals, so that one will have bragging rights for the season.

A comment heard from the sheds before the game was that the white shirts appeared to make the Farts players look fat, however after Nuts took the shirt off he still retained that fine Farts Physique.  I had some discussion after the game  with our in house resident Fashion Guru “Gok” , and he suggested that for our alternate strip that thin vertical stripes would be slimming, preferably in a nice pale Lemon with pastel Pink trim to bring out our natural eye colouring.

So the Farts continue their unbeaten run for the competition  and also added to their goal tally, now having chalked up 95 for the year.

The Farts are closing in on their four BHAG’s (Big Hairy A*** Goals) for the year

• 1)      100 goals
• 2)      Unbeaten in the round robin
• 3)      Minor premiership winners
• 4)      Overall R2 winners

Three games in the season to go fans.

Goals scorers

3 - Legs (well should have been 2 but we'll give him the third as it might mean Viv comes to 2 games as a Cheerleader)

1 – Trapper

1 – Veitchy

1 – Needles

MVP’s

3- Legs – solid game and three goals 

2 - Trapper – great goal and good support play

1 – Nuts – great defence and save off the line

1-      Glen – Umpiring (again)

1-      Trapper – Oranges

1        1 - Kirin – supply of away strip (and also taking them home to wash!)

The next two Farts games are “back to the future” with two morning games, Elsdon then Fraser.

Robbie (GOK) is on Oranges.