South 2nd XI proudly sponsored by PWC went into this haven probably eaten 5 times their own body weights over the holiday. During the holiday feasting period it seemed the opposition had also started to eat each other, they turned up for this friendly game with only 9 men and no goalie.

An unusually prompt meet at the rendezvous meant South left in good time leaving plenty of time for Dave Monck, who swallowed a ‘comedy store’ DVD, to generally entertain and use Kev for target practice with the football. Missing the ever-present Jan, not feeling up to a game whilst feeling unwell, a last minute reciprocal double up deal was struck for defenders with the 1sts, leading to the 2s gratefully guesting Jon Benedikz.

In order to make the oppositions numbers up Rob Garrett changed his umpire role to play for them, with time also put in by Dave Stock and Simon Ta; thanks guys. Their umpire kindly did the job solo and the game was played in good spirit.

A victory it might have been today, however no one was under any illusions; this was not our finest hour and selective memory will make the game reportage short! The first goal came from a square back stick cross from Rob Barton in the D to an unmarked Kev Rowland with enough time to stop the ball and push it at the far post. MDBA equalised with a short corner before half time where Lino showed off his comedy clown leg moves, timing these just right with a parting of the knees, as wide as the Red Sea path for Moses, to allow the ball through. Also performed with circus ring elegance in the game was the ‘roller skate on one foot tumble’ over his own defence…playing skittles he was.

South’s goals were not classics given the lack of an opposition goalkeeper. Rob Barton made it 2-1 after he worked at making himself a little room in their D. The third came from Dave Stock after prophesising that it would happen by shouting ‘my goal, my goal’ as he ran down the centre of the pitch toward their D, waiting for the cross from Kev. Both Dave and Rob had made it clear from their markers and were both in viable positions to receive a pass, but clearly there was only one man for this job! Dave received the ball and with nay bother from defender….or keeper for that matter, finished and opened up the margin to 3-1. And a right hearty whooop he did give, he’ll relive that one in bed but I bet there’s more defenders then ;o) and Baywatch stars…probably.

There was a host of missed opportunities to increase South’s scoreline; however these were replaced, at least by some small compensation, for comedy misses of open goals with South’s forwards doing the walk of shame back up the pitch. The opposition created a good number of offensive moves with some good passing and were apt at losing their marker in and around the D; however South’s defence kept the advantage we had gained.

The game itself was illustrative of a team that had had a break, looked a bit rusty and every member knew that we need to work to get some momentum towards regaining the quality Hockey the squad is capable of.

Skipper Kev Rowland reflected ‘We have to account for post break play, get the first game under the belt and recognise what we need to do to get back to our league game. We have a tough friendly next week where we will have the opportunity to work towards doing that. The day itself was a very good one; it was great to have the team together in great spirits’