Lost 0-5
Scorers: N/A
MoM: Bert Andrews and Friar’s Man of the Season: Simon Triggs
DoD: None….for once
With thanks to team sponsor MFri
tay 5th there had been suggestions (from unnamed sources) to cry off this match and spend our match fees at the Polo Bar. Whilst this would have pleased the Bar Chief this is not the way the Friars do business! Given that for some strange reason there was no Gadds on tap anyway at Polo the right decision was made as we enjoyed a very decent IPA at Old Gravesend Rugby and Hockey Club followed by some bottled stuff at Polo.
Still the hockey did start despite two mature Friars from Rough Common getting lost up a little thoroughfare in Gravesend called Thong Lane (this really is true and not made up) and within short order we were one down. Another outrageous goal sent us into half time 2-0 down but Trigger was quite outstanding with his stalwart defence and the whole team was inspired by his example of goal keeping and frustrating the Gravesham forwards.
Half time exhortations were duly delivered by Trigger (see pic) to send us out for further duty and bodies on the line.
The Gravesham goals in the second half were strange ones; diametric opposites of first half brilliance, these often trickled over as last gasps having been saved numerous times by either Trigger or his defence of Ricketts, Barton and Philpott – units of rock that had been breached – ably supported by Biggles, Harris and Andrews.
There was sterling effort from everyone else not least Bert Andrews promoted to centre midfield and running one of the, at least 20 penalty corners. There should have been a Friars goal at the very end but not to be… and we moved on quickly… to the bar…
So whilst it was a 5-0 loss it was a proud one to end the season on – a strange high with the vice captain’s better half Sue Hurlow giving up her whole day to support us in Gravesend obviously preferring that to the delights of Littlebourne allotments.
And so the League season came to an end and one which we have much enjoyed.
Squad: John Aikin, Bert Andrews, Mike Barton, Jamie Harris, Geordie Hayward, Brian Hurlow, Tony Jones(C), Geoff Philpott, Alex Ricketts, Angus Solley, Simon Triggs (GK), Chris Ward.
