Drew 3-3
Scorers: John Aikin (2), Jarryd Ramdunnie
MoM: Tony Jones for his tackling!
DoD: not awarded
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
The average age of the Friars plummeted with 3 youngsters – 2 Friars debutantes Angus Solley & Sam Holness in goal plus now experienced youngster Will Pattinson & Jarryd our Springbok who we later learned is in fact over 35 & not over 25 so no youngster he now!
On with the hockey. Within 2 minutes of push back & blinking the sleep away from an 8am start from Polo we were a goal down. “Wake up Friars” was the call from James Blackburn & like a coiled bed spring Friars hit back with a short corner strike from none other than John Aikin who has one job – score goals!
Excellent defence for the remainder of the half with Holness making a couple of outstanding saves kept the score to 1-1 at half time. Jonesy belying his 81,82,or 83 years (we’ve lost count), had obviously been to Specsavers as he made tackle after tackle. Whatever Hazel had been feeding the little chappie, it worked brilliantly. With a stronger midfield of Jo Miles, Will & Jarryd we were able to advance, especially from young Solley, into the SV half & a few short corners came our way.
With Dr Miles taking over player coach responsibilities at HT we saw end to end play before the hosts scored only for Friars to bounce back again with a short corner; a cunning plan was hatched – Jarryd fluffed a drag flick (which he had been practising in the warm-up) only to fool the opposition into allowing him a second chance from which he scored.
It looked to be a 2-2 final score until in the 68th minute a SV breakaway & shot gave Holness no chance. Oh cruel fate! However Friars bounced back once again with a real team goal started by Jonesy at the back with Hayward, Pattinson, Jarryd to Aikin to clinch a 3-3 draw in the final minute. It seemed for the third week in a row an away winning draw & celebrations at the Queens Head! Back to Fortress Polo next week & with Sir Geoff who had been injured picking cauliflowers (is this true -ed?!)
Thanks to the 3 youngsters’ mums & Biggles for support & Mike Barton for the FunBus!