Lost 0-2
MoM: Jamie Harris
DoD: not awarded (for once!)
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
It was to be a morning of sweat, blood and beers for the Friars who faced league leaders Marden 7s in pride of place on AW1 in the winter sunshine.
The SWEAT came largely because our newly trained youngsters had apparently been poached by the dastardly Squires. It was therefore a somewhat more ‘experienced’ (or demographically challenged) line up than the Friars have fielded in recent times, but some of our “finest” talents nonetheless!
The BLOOD belonged to Jamie Harris who took a deflected shot on his forehead (see pic after emerging from the hospital). A nasty blow requiring stitches, but a saved goal and the kind of defensive and heroic commitment that would make him a man of the match contender! On arriving back at Polo though his main concern was his lunch ticket so at least he knows his priorities! Jonesy had ‘disposed’ of it. However the wonderful ladies in the kitchen sorted that little ‘crisis’ out and Jamie was packed off home to bed by his mum! He was still alive on Sunday so all good!
A supreme defensive effort from Trigger and his very vocal defensive platoon contained the score to 1-0 at half time, and the final score was 2-0 for Marden. Along with Alex’s well known Braveheart impersonations at short corners, James Blackburn also has a decibel defying chatter more often directed at his own side in Henry V style.
Some highlights as follows:
- the two Marden goals from the Centre Forward were both top quality, a masterclass of instinctive ruthlessness in front of goal cunningly disguised with a beard and pot belly!
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the Friars forwards on the other hand (one of them equally pot-bellied) had a frustrating run out, starved of the ball but had plenty of time to prepare his match report!
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Tom Parkin made some fine attacking runs – good to see him back in action for the Friars
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young Will Hanys had a good match, battling tirelessly without his usual accomplices
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new signing Arun Banarse put in another very strong display in defence
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Phil Dowling made some great runs from midfield, showing he hasn’t quite lost his silky skills of yesteryear, combining well with Ewan Hutchinson
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Jonesy can take a knock, go flying on the turf and come up wanting for more at the tender age of 81- though he looked a bit blank – shaken but not stirred one might say!
The BEERS, of course, came after the match where the Friars rightly reflected on a quality defensive display – again our glasses are always half full, never half empty! Though where was the Gadds we ask – some dodgy stock-taking reason we heard. Anyway the better side had won, but to contain the league leaders to 2-0 was an achievement not to be underestimated, especially considering Marden’s recent high margin victories.
Many thanks to Kevin Goulden and Joe Lester for umpiring
Onwards to Blackheath away next week with a PB at 10.30am……….lovely jubbly…great timing that! Early to bed then Friars…….
Squad: John Aikin, Arun Banarse, Mike Barton, James Blackburn, Phil Dowling, Will Hanys, Jamie Harris, Brian Hurlow, Ewan Hutchinson, Tony Jones (C), Tom Parkin, Alex Ricketts, Chris Ward, Simon Triggs (GK)
