Viv Pihemia Memorial Match - a very emotional match

This morning the Farts ran out on their home turf, to cap off a very emotional week.

On Tuesday afternoon, after suffering a massive Brain hemorrhage earlier in the day Viv passed away peacefully. In the short time she had come along to support the Farts, she had made an impact with her smile, her laughter and her friendliness. During the week guys in the team showed their support for Ants, and today Viv's Family repaid those gestures by turning up in force to cheer on Ants and the team. It was fitting that they came and wore "butterfly wings" as apparantly these were a specialty of Vivs.

The guys played with Black Armbands, and had a minutes silence before the game to honour her.

But it showed right form the start that the emotion was there, even though the game flowed back and forth, Rongatai appeared to have the upper hand and scored first.  The Farts equalised through Veitchy, and after a long arm wrestle Cambo scored so the Farts went to the sheds at half time 2-1 up. This also meant the farts were sitting on 99 goals for the year to date

Early in the second half Scotty found Trapper wide on the flank unmarked, a swift pass, a 20 metre drive, beat the fullback, go to the line and pull it back for Ants to slot the 100th goal of the year.

The forwards swamped Ants to celebrate the goal, the 100th of the season and it was so fitting Legs scored it. There was more than one set of moist eyes in the celebrations. The Farts then proceeded to "Congo" back to half way.

The next goal was also set up by Scotty, again finding Trapper in space, this time for Cambo to find the back of the net. Not long after a pass from the IR channel found Trapper on the far post and he managed to slot the 5th for the day.  Rongatai were lucky to retain a full team with the amount of verbal pressure they applied to the umpires, but all teams have come to expect that form them this season.  They did apply a lot of pressure, and at times the Farts defended well although Rongatai managed to score a couple of consolation goals

I have to admit that this game was very much a blur, such was the level of emotion that built up this week and was released today.

Without Doubt, Legs was the MVP for the day. He was everywhere, in attack and defence, and rightly notched up the Farts century of goals.

The sideline support by the Pihema whanau, went a long way to making this a match that will go down in Farts history and the memories of all the players for a long time. Especially memorable was the pitch invasion by the fairies at halftime and their lap of honour!

Special mention to Timbo, he fell over half way through the first, not certain why, maybe he wanted to check out the new turf close up.  When he got up he thought his wrist was a little sore. Dr on monday morning conformed he'd broken it and played 3/4 of the game with a broken wrist. Typical Farts attitude, play on!

Goals
2 - Cambo
1- Legs (the 10tth !)
1 - Veitchy
1 - Trapper

MVP's
3 - Legs
2- Pihema "Angels in the outfield"
1- Scotty - great passing set up two of the goals
1- Rearend -Umpiring
1 - Nuts - Oranges