Won 3-2
Scorers: Alex Ricketts, John Aikin, Phil Dowling
MoM: Sir Geoffrey Philpott
DoD: Alex Ricketts for sartorial disorganisation
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
An interesting dawn push-back under lights in Sevenoaks against a team who had beaten us 2-0 before Christmas at Polo – the omens were thus not good.
The Mike Barton Fun Bus set off from Polo at 8am with some bleary eyed passengers on board, some of whom had been sensibly on the tiles the night before. The bus route took in Harbledown for Trigger and Cllr Ricketts. Trigger organised as ever was sweetly waved off by his better half but without a sign of a packed breakfast. Fingers were then twiddled as Alex R fell out of bed into the bus with what he described as his hockey kit but many would beg to differ. However he was revved up as much as his washing machine cylinder for the game!
Bang on 10am a furious hail storm descended on Holly Bush folllowed by torrential rain. However Big Alex was up to the challenge as he made amends for his earlier sad sartorial state by firing a fierce short corner won by young Will Pattinson into goal after just 2 minutes. (see pic) This galvanised James Blackburn into another Henry V passionate vocal call to arms. That didn’t do too much good as 2 minutes after that Sevenoaks equalised and that was how it remained until half time with some furious work by the defence with Mike Barton, Jamie Harris, Sir Geoffrey, Arun Banarse and James B working overtime. Trigger continued his over 50s (yes he really is over 50) form from last weekend to deny any further Sevenoaks success. Phil Dowling at this stage was working on all 6 cylinders but he was running out of fuel.
Some firm words to keep the pressure, pace, focus and many other attributes not normally attached to The Friars were spoken and within 5 minutes of the resumption Will nipped past a leadened foot Sevenoaks defence and passed to John Boy Aikin with just the goalie to beat. No fancy LBZ stuff from Aikin who neatly and carefully slipped it past the GK – 2-1. 10 minutes later young Will (again) was in the thick of it and with the Sevenoaks defence caught too high passed to Phil Dowling who belted it home 3-1. This galvanised Sevenoaks and many short corners resulted with Sir Geoffrey saving 2 bullets on the line with great defensive shots that could have graced Ash cricket team 1s! The home team became frustrated and their excellent umpires had to have a “friendly” word but pressure told and they got a goal back to 3-2. In the last 2 minutes they pressed for the equaliser and obtained no less than 5 short corners including 3 on the final whistle enabling their whole team to be on the D.
However the Friars stubbornly held out with wizened Mike Barton heroically laying his long body on the ground (he tripped up) forcing the umpire to bring the last short corner to a halt and reset once again, but the old boys held out.
Whether it was the new half-time snifter of a fizzy haribo injected with something or the usual jaffa, or a new lucky mascot in Arun’s always smiling Dad (every game he has attended in the last month we have won!) or just a very determined effort this was an excellent but wet day for the Friars. Phil Dowling ended the game in a bad way with a blown gasket and 3 creaky cylinders with Jamie pushed up front in a similar state. Hayward in true Tony Panayides style also played but had no effect on the game, as he was cruelly reminded of in post match celebrations. Jonesy marshalled the team from the bench in his normal forthright style.
…And thanks to the excellent Sevenoaks umpires.
Squad: John Aikin, Arun Banarse, Mike Barton, James Blackburn, Phil Dowling, Jamie Harris, Geordie Hayward, Ewan Hutchinson, Will Pattinson, Geoff Philpott, Alex Ricketts, Simon Triggs(GK), Tony Jones (C)
