Farts manage to grab a draw from the jaws of victory again.

Yes campers, this journalist is back after a tour of duty fighting against the maddening hordes of the paper war (tenders and RFP’s).

And just in time too to see a glimmer of the old Farts magic starting to come back.

It appears like the Farts are on their way back to peaking, after a slow start to this season, mainly due to injury woes and apparently a number of players showing their age but forgetting to turn up for the games.

Yesterday the Farts took on a Bi-gender team (The goalie had a distinctly female voice but hard to tell any “distinguishing features” under the protective pads).

Maybe the injection of a new match ball in the first half was the difference?

The Farts appear to be hitting their straps with their expansive style, with Legs making a quest appearance up front, the Farts had a mobile three pronged attack force (Legs, Shaun and Trapper) to move the HCT defence around. The first half was almost all Farts pressure, with a number of long balls making the HCT scramble in defence and forcing their goalie to work. The pressure resulted in a number of PC’s in the first half, but couldn’t convert any.

A number of shots went wide, and Trapper edged a long ball from Scotty past the defender and gaolie but couldn’t turn back into the goal, only managing to rattle the side netting.

The first goal was pure reflex from Trapper, following a series of passes that carved up the HCT defence, Shaun had a shot that cannoned off the goalies pads and Trapper was there to smack it into the net 1-0.

A little later in the half and series of passes saw Scotty around the spot and Shaun on Post duty on the LH upright, Scotty slid the ball to Shaun who guided it home, 2-0.

It was a reasonably quiet time in Farts defence for the half, Rearend did touch the ball a couple of times, although once was just a back pass to nuts to clear.

Half time was a chance for the Farts to gather their breath and tend to the wounded, Craig had picked up a shoulder injury in a tumble, and there was concern that he wouldn’t go back to the front line, however with a stern upper lip he announced that he was willing to again front up for Club and Country.

The second half saw a re-invigorated HCT come out, almost like a different set of 11 on the field?

The Farts continues their Blitzkrig attacks, although they were punctuated by some sterling work on defence, Rearend putting his body on the line saving a number of shots.

The Farts continued to apply the pressure, resulting in a number of long corners and also a few more PC’s , although the HCT defence managed to hold out, then finally the Umpire at that end actually saw the ball hit a foot, and unfortunately for the HCT team, the foot was just in front of the goal line. Scotty managed to overcome the feeling of amazement and relief that the umpire at this late stage in the game has suddenly realised the ruling re ball/foot, and sent the goalie the wrong way with the stroke.

Unfortunately, that just fired up HCT even more, and they managed to slot three goals on their own in the last 15 mins to draw the game 3-3.

One was a stroke, and while Rearend dove the right way, it flicked the outside of his raised arm to go in.

So the game ended 3-3, a disappointing end in some ways, although a good open game, with periods of old style Farts brilliance showing through.

Goals

Trapper – 1

Shaun – 1

Scotty -1

MVPS

3 – Adrian – there was no single stand out player this week, but Adrian gets 3 points for good consistent play, some good passing which lead to at least one goal, and also umpiring the R3 game

2 – Craig – fought on valiantly after being wounded mid way through the first half

1 - Nuts – lots of work in the back , also picked up a third box of peanut slabs!.