Date: 5 May
Venue: Mutual
Time: 13:30
Opponent: Conberg A (Classics)
The first game of a double game week
weekend was upon us, the Ladies 3's hoped to keep on with winning ways when
taking on Conberg A (aka Classics).
Conberg themselves have had a decent
start to their season by winning both there two matches to date.
We quickly realised why they had
dubbed themselves "Classics" when the little old lady from Red Riding
Hood was actually kitting up in goal keeper attire...and this was no joke!
There youngest player was probably the same age as all our ladies added
together. But they had a good record so far this season...
The game started after some
debate/"you will" sort of attitude from the Conberg ladies by saying
that it is Mutual's home game therefore we have to wear bibs because the two
teams kit's were similar in colour. I countered with thoughts of the ever
tactful Vis' words coming to mind by saying "sure, here the bibs if YOU
would like to wear them". This wouldn't be that last time that this issue
would be brought up during the game.
After about 10min or so of the ball
swapping possession a few times, the Classics/Older Ladies (#tell them) brought
up the issue of the kit clashing again and the game was stopped (told you it
wouldn't be the last time it was brought up). I was approach again about
wearing bibs to which I replied, "Mutual plays Conberg every season in
almost every league, we play you at GC and TC level and there has never been an
issue with the kit. If you would like to, here are the BLUE bibs.". They
quickly realised that if they wore the blue bibs, only then would the kit
almost be clashing. I put the whole issue down to the ageing eyes of the Wise
One's (#tell them). Anyway, the bibs ended up back into the bag. Play
continued.
I swear the above stalling of the
game was a tactful ploy by the Aged One's (#tell them) as quickly after the
restart they penetrated the D and slotted an average goal. Mutual seemed to
still be in 'time is off' mode. Mutual 0 - 1 Old Git's (#tell them).
About 3 min after the 1st goal,
Conberg had another chance from the left of the D and rolled a ball towards the
goal, Tiny attempted to clear the ball but the ball ended up rolling underneath
her kicker and into the goals. Mutual were shell-shocked, I was fuming and
Conberg were on a roll. Mutual 0 - 2 Alzheimer's Patience's (#tell them).
Half couldn't have come quicker at
that stage.
The half time team
take/uit-kak-sessie was sombre and bleak. Talk before the game about not trying
to go through these Older Folk was again stressed as the tackling by Conberg
was impressive. Pot joined us after being excused from the 1st half which made
the back line that little bit stronger.
The second half started like a New
Year's Eve fireworks show, it seemed as though Conberg has awoken the beast...
It took us 45 seconds from the
whistle to score. The perfect example of a Blitzkrieg. We had a brilliant
passing movement up the right side of the field, the ball went across the D and
found its way into the path of "Boomerang" (Cat/"goal
machine"). A simple tap in for Cat and Mutual had the prefect start to the
second half. Mutual 1 - 2 Mature Ladies (#tell them).
Mutual were on the squeeze, the
pressure on Conberg was immense and they definitely felt every ounce of effort
coming from us. The game got a lot more physical and I was proud to see every
one of my ladies getting stuck in. The umpiring from the Conberg ump was
frustrating at times, but we didn't let that get in the way of how we were
playing. A couple of times time was called for the said umpire to give a
ticking off to a few of the Mutual ladies for apparently playing too well and
being too competitive, but we all know a game without a few time stoppages for
a little cream soda or custard is not how Mutual play hockey.
A few minutes later and the Conberg
defence gave way. Another fantastic piece of play saw a pass given by Jambo to
top D. Boomerang was on hand for her second goal of the game and finished
off a great move. Mutual 2 - 2 People of Age (#tell them).
For the last 15 min of the game, it
felt as though Conberg were hanging on. The momentum and support were all
behind Mutual and we desperately wanted and deserved a winning goal. Scat had a
fantastic shot hit the keeper rather than saved, who happened to be
rooted to the spot and went down in a heap after the hit. We thought she may
not get up, but to her credit, she was back up on her feet. A tense finish but
the game ended in a draw.
Final Score: Mutual 3's 2
- 2 Conberg A (Classics)
Talking points:
- why did Mutual
only start to play hockey in the second half???
- the older you get, the
better understanding of the game you developed (thanks Conberg for this one)
We left the pitch having given it
our all in the second half, but unfortunately the 1st half let us down. There
was no time to dwell on the 2 points dropped, as the followind
day we were up against Bellville B.
Custard King (Ultra-mel)
Coach Piles
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