Winter League Game Week #10 - vs Durbanville (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

20 July 2013

Venue: Mutual

Opponents: Durbanville – M2

Time: 16h30

After having a catch up chat on Friday night, Dunn tells me how its not going to be an easy game. So I thought they had recruited in a few player during the break…..A whole new side rocked up on Saturday.

So instead of two veteran sides going at it, we were chasing a bunch of youngsters… and Korr.

The guys were a bit bleak when they say this. To make matter worse a little miscommunication and Youngster was at Canal Walk watching Twilight with his bird. So we brought in emergency sub goalie Otees whos warm up consisted of 1 drag flick as the teams were ready to start. Oh and special mention to Shooter who couldn’t make the game because of ‘work’ – which I had to find out 30 minutes before game time.

So Tubbs made his debut for the Mighty 3s. The first few minutes seems to go very slowly. It almost seemed like the guys were conserving their energy from the go. But with Petie-Weepu dominating in the centre like he usually does , it gave us a chance to push up and a side and try to get a firm grasp on the game.

Petie-Weepu with a great thru ball to Blake, and as always #1Time into the goals. Seems like this guy never needs a second touch. But don’t fix it if is ‘aint broken! Mutual 1 – 0 Durbanville.

The didn’t get many chances in the first half. There was one occasion where they got into our circle and Otees was forced to make a save. By that I mean he ducked and screamed like a girl as the ball sailed over the bar. But he was keeping a clean sheet which is all that mattered. If screaming like a girl was putting off the strikers, then keep at it.

We got our first shorty of the game, Blake doing his thing and following after the keeper made a save. Sending the ball flying into the net. Mutual 2 – 0 Durbanville.

Happy with out 2 goal lead going into the break, we looked set to try push for that bonus point in the second half. But we didn’t expect Durbies to come out firing like they did. In the first few minutes there was a bit of miscommunication in our half saw their defender receive the ball on top D unmarked. Otees came running out but with a 2v1 he didn’t stand much chance. Mutual 2 – 1 Durbanville.

Not wanting them to get any points out of the game we pressed on. Durbies are too close to us to be giving them bonus points. WE pushed solidly for a good 10 minutes before Basil found himself in the D and was taken out badly by their defence. Basil winning an Oscar for most time spent on the ground faking a cramp. Shorty out skew, basil stoping it strong and for ONCE ops for a front stick shot. Mutual 3 – 1 Durbanville.

The rest of the game seemed like it was just our guys getting injured. Basil getting bear hugged by the keeper, who was then sent off, again lying on the ground with bad cramp. #MyBack #MyLegs. Guys just wanted the game to be over, If they had called time then, there would have been a lot of happy 3s players.

Setting up for their 16, Brown was handed the ball by their defender and told to have a shot, early Christmas present.Extending our lead. Mutual 4 – 1 Durbanville.

With the victory pretty much sealed and only a few minutes to run down on the clock, we started going into sleep mode. Just trying to get the game over with. Not enough time left to go for bonus points and we didn’t really seem in danger of conceding 2 goals.

Kev was then ploughed down in our own half. The old man immediately left the field, and that meant there was something worng. Later we found out that the Durbies striker had broken his collar bone. There goes his season. Out for 8 weeks. Credit must go to Agent who must have been sucking back some Absinthe and awarded the free hit to Durbies.

That was pretty much the ball game, we held out the final minute with some excitement in the D in the closing stages. Tubbs playing a little cameo and seeing the spot light on him with a couple stick blocks and some bobby dazzling around the P-spot.

Final Score: 4 - 1

Hard battle and a good win, next up UCT. Looking at the table we are a few points clear of VD Stel and then there is a bit of a gap to the other teams. But this year in this league, anything can happen. Millies only beating Conberg 2-1 after thrashing them in their previous fixture but putting 9 past them.

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

Winter League Game Week #9 - vs Conberg (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

18 July 2013

Venue: Mutual

Opponents: Conberg TC - lol

Time: 20h30

So after a good mid season break we wereback at the astro to play our catch up game of the previous half after the game was moved after being rained out. After winning the toss, it took the guys a while to get into the swing of things. Most of the guys not used to this ‘running’ thing that the other team was doing. But what more can you expect. This was the first time the guys had seen the astro after that Paarl game over a month ago. But this didn’t look like a Conberg side that was sitting near the bottom of the log. But I love the way all the teams bring the big guns out to face us. M3 is such a closely fought league this seaon.

We enjoy a lot of possession, but the guys were still fine tuning their skills. Shots were wide of the target at the start, but the strikers adjusting their scopes with each shot saw their striker starting to find the target.

After stringing together a couple of passes, the ball came in from the right to find Blake camping on the top D. And as always #1Time shot into the bottom corner. Mutual 1 – Conberg.

That was pretty much it for the half. There was not much excitement. Youngster pulling off a save or two to keep Conberg at bay, but we protected our 1 goal lead. The second half started much like the first did. It seemed like we were camping in their half. But the goals were not flowing.

Tooori stopped the ball with his knee on the half way line. Everyone else stopped playing, but no whistle. He then remembered what his u/10 coach had told him – play to the whistle. He sent a thru ball down the line to blake who put thru a beat of a 45 ball into the D. Brown chipped the keeper and watched the ball spin into the goals. Shane Warne couldn’t even make a ball turn that much. Deflection was going half a meter wide before it hit the turf, then post and in. Mutual 2 – Conberg.

Aaaaaaah, then our friend Karma joined the party. Top tackle by Kev in the D onto a Conberg foot. No whistle and we were picking the ball out the back of the net. It was a top strike by Conberg to put them back in the game. Mutual 2 – 1 Conberg.

The rest of the game seemed to be us pushing hard for the safety goal, but as possession was turned over big beat down field and we were defending the counter attack. After a very close call and 4 minutes to go, it was time to slow the game down. Tosser shouting at everyone to leave the ball while he slowly ran around the field taking the hits and slowing the game down.

Somehow he ended up getting a long corner. Taking his time he then set up in the corner like a Portuguese family. Tackles flying in from all sides until Conberg forced the ball out the side line. Same thing all over again. Running down time in the corner with a 2 minutes to go, Tosser gave a ball back to Pete on the 25. Flipped thru to Brown, who turned and smashed it towards goal. Demon got a stick to the ball which seemed to bounce off the keepers chest, then over his head and drop just below the cross bar. Looked messy but well worked. Mutual 3 – 1 Conberg.

Then it was all about letting the last 20 seconds run down to earn the first points of the second half.

Final Score: 3 - 1

Next up we have Durbanville, who are out to get us. Having a great run of form near the end of the last half, they boys will want to get one back on us after we beat them with 10 men early in the first half.

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

Winter League Game Week #8 - vsVD Stel (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

06 June 2013

Venue: Stellies

Opponents: VD Stel

Time: 18h00

We all packed in our passports and made the great trek to Stellies for another top of the table clash with Van Der Stel. After having the previous weeks fixture vs Conberg post poned due to rain we were still recovering from the loss suffered at the hands of Millies.

Looking at the astro, which was waterlogged, it didn’t look like a game was on the cards. But not wanting to drive all the way back to Stellies and go thru all the boarder patrols again the boys were keen to have a game as were the VD Stel boys.

The opposition ran onto the pitch as soon as their game before us was done to sweep off all the excess water while we warmed up. Vis wasn’t keen at all to umpire in the rain, and who could blame him. With a debut cap into the side, guys were also keen to see Soso in his first match for the Mighty 3s.

We pushed hard with them having a couple counter attacks. Long balls not finding their mark with all the water on the pitch slowing the game down. We were lucky VD Stel we opting for the long ball game which made it easier for us to deal with. After an attack down the left, the ball popped to Demon in the circle who slotted our first goal in with a smash. No one knows if it was a pass or a shot because there is no difference in speed. Mutual 1 – 0 VD Stel.

Kev having ball at the back was looking for options to feed the ball thru to someone, their right wing kept darting in from the side trying to break it down. This time however his foot found the ball and left him on a crumpled heap on the floor. There is no wrong side in hockey – true fact, but there is a side where the arc of a stick ends up and that’s precisely where you are coming in from. Kev 1 – 0 Strickers foot.

A little while later Demon smashed a ball across the field to Blake, who set one up for Basil in the D. Basil making no mistake with this one and slotting the ball into the goal edging it past the keeper, extending our lead. Mutual 2 – 0 VD Stel.

Moments later the VD Stel forwards were at it again. Coming in from the left as Tosser was smashing a ball to Blake on the half way line. Tosser 1 – 0 Strikers foot. He politely stood up and after an exchange of words threw in a P-bomb and with the umpire right next to me had no other option but to send him off for a 5 minute breather.

VD Stel hit back with a move down the left along base line finding his fellow team mate top D. Smashing hard from top D, going through Youngsters legs. Mutual 2 – 1 VD Stel.

Just before the end of the half we hit back. Blake wanting to get on the score card, getting the rebound off the keeper and diving to his left to smash the ball into the net. Mutual 3 – 1 VD Stel.

Have time was reduced to 2 minutes because of the delay at the start, barely having time to put water in my mouth and running back on the field. VD Stel were technically down one player after the Strikers foot met with the ball in the first half. He was just chilling in the 25 unable to do much running. Mutual continued to push hard but just unable to find the goals.

The weather conditions were deteriorating, the astro starting to pick up quite a bit of water. This is where over heads started being the go to ball. Wanting to get out of the marsh area of the turf, we kept throwing balls down the right. Off a long corner which as defence we thought we had dealt with quite well, the VD Stel player smashed a ball at the goals, the ball hitting Youngster on the kicker before going in. An unlucky own goal, but with 20 minutes lef tin the game we were now on the back foot. Mutual 3 – 2 VD Stel

The game was eventually called off due to poor conditions, we played enough of the game for the result to stand. Was good to get back to winning ways against the side sitting third in the league.  News that Millies had drawn their game vs Paarl gave us something to think about as our next match was against the boys from far away at home.

Final Score: 3 - 2 - Starting all over again....#1

This weekend sees us taking on Paarl @ Mutual 16h30 then for a couple of weeks break while the provincial tournament s take place. Weepu and Tosser will be forming part of the WPCD side which will be touring to Pietermaritzburg. Good luck to them, well mainly Weepu as I have been on one of these tours before and know to avoid Nicolas Rademeyer! lol

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

Winter League Game Week #7 - vs Milnerton (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season END OF AN ERA!!!!!

25 May 2013

Venue: Hartleyvale B

Opponents: Millies

Time: 15h00

After the competitive season we had last year with Millies in M4. We would never have thought the new boys to M3 would be topping the table again. Week 7 was to be our first head to head battle in M3.

With Petie-Weepu and Blake out for this encounter we always knew it was going to be a lot tougher than any of our previous matches. We conceded a short corner in the opening 5 minutes and this was to prove to be a huge eye opener. They had a drag flicker who must have been recruited from Holland. I don’t think anyone besides him knew or saw where the ball went. We all just saw him turn around and head back off to the half way line. Mutual 0 – 1 Milnerton.

Still in shock from conceding so early in the game, Millies had a break down our right hand side. Willie getting on the end of a thru ball and smashing it hard at the goals. Youngster and his prostitute legs letting a ball go in between them. Mutual 0 – 2 Milnerton.

Things were looking glum, Millies having most of the possession during the first half. We conceded another short corner. After hitting the post with their previous bullet, this one was buried into the bottom right corner of our goals. Mutual 0 – 3 Milnerton.

This were not looking good. We had also gone down to one sub since Tallis as he has been doing in the last few games, pulled his hammy. He is in line to get most consistent player if he keeps pulling him hammy.  A welcomed half time whistle was heard by the boys in green. We walked across to the other side of the field almost with our tails between our legs. Half time chat was the same as the start of the game chat. We need to hold the middle.

Second half started with us staying on the back foot. But now enjoying a little more possession. Millies like sharks in the water smelling blood just kept pushing for that bonus point. For some reason they held back a bit. Not sure why. They did eventually get their fourth with the help of another short corner. Drag flick demon slotting another one into the bottom right although we were saved by the post moments earlier. Mutual 0 – 4 Milnerton.

The realisation was slowly starting to hit home for the guys that this might be the end of the unbeaten run. Youngster not giving up with a diving save ro keep out the shot of Spud/Saaartbek. But unfortunately Spud would go on to score from a 3vkeeper over lap. This put Millies into bonus point contention with 5 minutes to go. Mutual 0 – 5 Milnerton.

It got to the point where we would rather lose 7 – 0 than give up trying not to take that bonus point away from Millies. Pushing most of our side forward we pressed them for a consolation goal hoping to take away their bonus point. We finally got a short corner and Basil thought it would be fun to pop it onto his reverse stick and blaze the ball over the cross bar.

Luckily shortly after we got another. Tosser taking on the first way and slotting the ball bottom left from close range giving us a little hope in the title race. Mutual 1 – 5 Milnerton.

Final Score: 1 - 5

It was the end of an era #36! After 215 goals for (96 in 2012, 96 in indoor, 31 in 2013), 70 goals against (17 in 2012, 41 in indoor and 12 in 2013) and unbeaten run of 36 games on the trot – drawing only our first game in 2012 (because of Goose). This 3s run of form will go down in history. #MutualLegends

Millies in the end deserving the win. Keen to see them in the return leg.

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

Winter League Game Week #6 - vs Pinelands (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

19 May 2013

Venue: Mutual

Opponents: Pinelands

Time: 15h00

After our two curtain raisers (being the 1s and 2s) we took the field – poor guys looked all tuckered out but they played their hearts out. We didn’t start off with the ball so there was no #UCT goal attempt this time. We enjoy most of the possession in the first few minutes of the game.

After a lot of pressure the breakthrough finally came. Classic Demon style only knows how to smash, the shot was saved by the keeper but falling nicely for Demon to have a follow up miss timed smash. The wounded rabbit finding the goals after bouncing over the defenders stick on the line. Mutual 1 – 0 Pinelands.

We continued to press and after a few unsuccessful short corners Tosser stepped up to drag. Not the best I have seen…….actually far from it, luckily the second wave was dangling his stick infront of….lets say it was definitely going on goals, the speed is questionable. But it hit the back of his stick and we were awarded a p-flick which Pete stepped up to convert. Mutual 2 – 0 Pinelands.

Pinelands came back with a scrappy goal, their striker running along baseline and Youngster anticipating he would square the ball to the striker on p-spot . But he selfishly went alone with Youngster leaving his near post exposed. Mutual 2 – 1 Pinelands.

Demon was back at it again soon after we conceded, the ball coming into the circle from the right. With his speed he beat the defender to the ball and, like the airline, one-time into the bottom left corner. Mutual 3 – 1 Pinelands.

It was around this time that Tallis thought we were having things a bit too easy. He decided to pull his Hammy…..AGAIN. He could always just ask to go off. But decides rather to go off in style…limping. Lol. After the quick switch around we were a little unsettled at the back, a Pinelands striker managed to get off an average shot just inside the D. Youngster thinking it was hit from outside left it and Pinelands were back in the game just before the end of the first half. Mutual 3 – 2 Pinelands

With a minute left in the half Mutual  with the possession decided to have one last bolt at the goals. Tosser running….ok fine walking with the ball around the halfway line say the heavens open and a spot light beaming on Blake. A great ball to Blake camping on the top D, he turned and blazed one past the Pinelands keeper to put Mutual further ahead. Mutual 4 – 2 Pinelands.

During the team talk we basically had one focus in mind. We needed to push for the bonus point. Taking the field for the second half we started on our quest for that one extra point, not that we had wrapped up the game by no means but if we won, we wanted to win big. The first goal of the half came qiute quickly when we started playing route 1 hockey instead of passing it around trying to look fancy. Ball in from Tosser just right of top D, Demon collecting the ball and (he says pop shot) but we all know it was a wounded rabbit past the keeper. Brownie very nearly poached the goal off the line. Mutual 5 – 2 Pinelands.

Ex Mutual player and current Pinelands keeper “Cannon” was not giving up at all. Pulling of a lot of saves and doing what a keeper should – get in the way all the time. Several chances went beckoning. Then route 1 hockey came into play. Tosser smashing a ball into the D, a sort of hit and hope kind of slap hoping for a deflection of anything really with the new own goal rule. Demon reaching out and getting a glancing deflection and edging it past the keeper. Mutual 6 – 2 Pinelands.

We now had the bonus point in reach, one more goal was all we needed. It was now all out attack, with a goal lead of 4 we were not worried if we conceded. We just wanted that 5^th goal. Blake receiving a ball from Ingo and making a run down the left. Finding Brownie in the circle who had a quick snap shot which the keeper again smothered on p-spot but Caveman quickly came to the rescue cleaning up on the reverse and forcing the ball into the goal. Mutual 7 – 2 Pinelands.

Mutual were not done yet, we wanted a goal cushion incase of the emanate Pinelands counter attacks. Toooooori playing for the crowd took on at least 4 Pinelands players, with the crowd going wild the only way the Pinelands defender could stop him was by flattening him with a “Butch James” type spear tackle. Brownie received a long thru ball from inside our own half and had a 1v1 with their keeper. Cooly slotting the ball past the keeper to extend our lead. Mutual 8 – 2 Pinelands.

With the game drawing to a close we got a shorty which after the whistle proved to be the last play of the game. The whole Mutual side was circling around the D like blood thirsty animals staring at the Pinelands goal box. The call was to go to Caveman, who received the ball and while playing the ball across it hit a Pinelands foot. Another short was awarded, from the stands you could hear the cries for a Tosser drag flick. Being a crowd pleaser we gave the fans what they had come here to witness. Tosser slotting the ball off the final short corner of the game. Mutual 9 – 2 Pinelands.

It was great to have the crowd around for our biggest win of the 2013 campaign. Darrin was missing out due to injury and Mick who had been dropped to the 2s for the weekend. Does that mean Doc and his GoPro’s have been dropped as well? I surely hope not.

Final Score: 9-2

Next up biggest game of the season vs table topping Millies. Petie-Weeepu and Blakie both out for the game….Not Ayoba!

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

Winter League Game Week #5 - vs VOB (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

11 May 2013

Venue: Mutual

Opponents: VOB

Time: 15h00

We took to the field for our first home game of the season. Winning the toss …..again, we chose to start with the ball. Wanting to test out our new technique again, we will call this the #UCT. Its all about a huge burst straight out of the starting blocks. The initial overhead dropped short of Brownie, team vote says Pete should start hitting the gym harder so he can make those passes. But it was picked up by Demon who smashed it to Blake, letting the ball run onto his reverse side, smashed a backstick shot past the keeper. 20 Seconds gone in the game. Mutual 1 – 0 VOB.

The 3s boys being quite happy with the start we had just gotten, still celebrating the goal, saw what can only be described as a meteor smashing into the goals. Almost out of nothing, a little too much room in the D and VOB smashed a reverse stick shot of their own into the side netting. Youngster sticking his nose into the air to sniff, but none of us smelt that one. Mutual 1 – 1 VOB.

A little jolt to our systems, looking at the logs VOB were near the bottom not winning many games. And as I had discussed with Doc during the week, this entire league is open at this stage. Either that or all the teams want to take our unbeaten record away from us…NOT COOL. These M3 boys are really making us work for every victory.

We made a move down the left of the field, Basil collecting the ball and popping it past the defender. I am not sure if he thought he was still 18, but after his pie diet there was no way he was ever going to get to that ball. One handed throwing his stick at the ball….back stick of course, he actually makes contact with it and found Blake on P-sport who did the rest. Blake 2, Mutual 2,  Mutual 2 – 1 VOB.

 Nearing the end of the first half, it became a back and forth game. The heat and lack of fitness really starting to take its toll on the vintage players in the 3s. It’s a good thing that we have a bunch of youngsters doing most of the work like Mick, Ingo and SJ (Also known as Toooooori). After our strikers going straight down the centre most of the game, Blake had the great idea to maybe run around the defenders. As he hit the circle with a hard strike (from top D proving that lighting does strike twice) burying the ball in the corner. Hatrick for Blake like a footballers perfect hatrick (left foot, right foot and header) he pulled off a hockey players perfect hatrick (reverse stick, front stick and deflection). About time he scores his first hatrick of the season, Blake looks in line to get another crunchie this year. Mutual 3 – 1 VOB.

The half time chat was all about not losing focus and trying to push for the bonus point without conceding. VOB’s half time talk must have been a lot better than ours because they came out guns blazing. Either that or they all got new legs on the black market before the start of the second half. It felt like I was running on a treadmill from the start of the second half.

Defenders did well, Darrin showing his experience and pulling off some solid tackles to keep the VOB forwards at bay. Kev forgetting how the years have been treating him lately lunged for a ball and stuffed up his back so Caveman came in to replace the old man. Then as in the Paarl game, I waved goodbye to Caveman and told him that I would see him after the game. With him and Pete pushing the centre of the field causing havoc all we needed to do was to start converting chances into goals.

Tosser pulled off what people are starting to call the stick block of the season. Stick blocking a player almost a meter away….Spur very quickly saw this infringement and awarded a free hit against him. Even after a look shock filled Tossers face. “was it that noticeable”….apparently so.

With the minutes in the game running out, Caveman took a quick 16 and smashed the ball up the line to Demon who played a great ball across the field to Brown. Brown set up Basil open at top D and taking his first front stick shot of the season rofed the ball above the keepers head. If the ball had hit the keeper in the pip it probably would have ended up back at the half way line – that’s how hard the ball was hit. Either that or the keepers head would have been cut clean off like a scene from Game of Thrones. Mutual 4 – 1 VOB.

With a few minutes left, we seemed happy to take the points and go for a few well deserved beers. It can definitely be said that the games are getting a lot harder. And after seeing the results from the weekend….This league is wide open.

Final Score: 4-1

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

#35

A couple of Pictures of the game courtesy of Speedo. He also enjoys taking…….”intimate” shots, I wonder what that is. lol

Winter League Game Week #4 - vs Paarl (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

04 May 2013

Venue: Paarl Gym

Opponents: Paarl

Time: 16h30

Twas a lovely day out in the Paarl. Taking a slow Sunday drive to the venue (which is basically top speed in Paarl) I had a catch up chat with one of the Paarl boys, ex CDs player Fish - and I think in the off season he has been eating bricks. The guy is big, his muscles have muscles on them. Two game in a row we require medical staff for piss tests. After realising that i would be graced with marking him for the duration of the game, I knew last weekends UCT game would seem like a walk in the park compared to this one.

Continuing our winning form and winning the toss we decided give them the ball - Thinking we would give it a week before trying the heroics of the previous games 18 second goal. The first 10 minutes way quite a slow start to the game. Seemed both teams were just feeling each other out.

Neither team wanting to be caught in possession of the ball or countered so neither of us pushed forward that much. After a ball, which seemed pretty easy to clear, was missed in the D and a little goal mouth scramble. Paarl was able to get a shot off which made its way past Youngster who was unsighted. Mutual 0 - 1 Paarl.

Getting a little bit of a shock as we went one goal down, our forwards stepped it up and started to create some chances. Our first goal came about from a platter….from the Paarl defence when taking a 16.(The type of platter that Vis “The Chef” would be proud of) Demon’s eyes were like saucers after receiving the ball from the 16. He then slipped it to Basil (debut after being promoted to the 3s from the 2s) who popped the ball onto his reverse stick, like there was anywhere else the ball was going to go, and smashed up level with Paarl. Mutual 1 – 1 Paarl.

We took the lead with the help of Blake getting on the end of a wonderful river ball. The keepers glove somehow saving the deflections, but Blake was quickest to react to the rebound, throwing himself at the ball and slotting it home to put us into the lead. Mutual 2 – 1 Paarl.

Tosser got a little tongue lashing from the umpire (no not the good type of tongue lashing) after simply querying his decision. Feet touching the edge of the circle should be 5 from the dotted line – apparently he was wrong. And then in a “I wont admit im wrong attitude” – He was told he was not allowed to query anything else….Like that was really going to stop him.

Tallis thought things were getting a little boring on the field, so wanting to make things exciting for the crowd he tackles the Paarl centre link from behind. It looked very similar to a spear tackle or one of Butch James’ no hands tackles. It ended up with the two of them rolling around on the floor a little. By the time Tallis had got back to his feet their umpire was waving a green at him. A little deserved but after looking at the rest of the game, there should have been plenty more cards if that was a green.

So Tosser did his thing and literally took his time taking the next 16 so that Tallis could get on the field. It was the longest 2 minutes of my life, im sure it was closer to 5. We eventually were back to 11 players and the half time whistle sounded. Half time talk was very chilled compared to the UCT game. We threw around a few tips and were ready to take on the second half.

Second half was like watching a game of tennis. Back and forth the whole time, no real clear cut chances. We defended a couple of shorties well until Youngster let one slip thru his legs. #TriangleShapedCoffin. #LegsLikeaProstitute. Mutual 2 – 2 Paarl.

We went into panic mode. We needed this win to keep up with VD Stel and Millies at the top of the table. We technically we need every win, but….. you know what im saying. This was the last time I would see Caveman until the end of the game. All I said was “we need to push them a little more” Caveman never returned to our half of the field for the rest of the game.

So with our defence down to 3 (which we have played before – but only when chasing bonus points) we continued to fight hard. Throwing everything into every tackle. Mick, on the left,  sticking to his player like glue which means his nickname of Bungee is now out of the window. Darren , on the right, marking the huge space left by our now attacking centre back Caveman. We finally get a shorty, dragflick thru the keepers legs and the defender cleared it “from behind the line” for a long corner….Tosser not impressed. But instead of arguing ran to take the long corner and forced a few shitty tackles to eventually win another short corner. This time we decided to slip to Caveman, I greeted him as if he had been off the field for most of the second half. Short corner worked, but might have been smashed against Blakes foot on the way thru. Credit to Blake who owned the shot and walked away like nothing happened. In steps Goose to overturn the decision. At this point we all had flash back of the one draw we had last season where Goose disallowed a goal. But fair enough “THIS TIME” it wasn’t a goal.

I would like to apologise to Doc’s physicians. We did leave it kinda late this week, and he did complain about his heart racing near the end. With 2 minutes left in the game and after a goal mouth scramble, Demon turned and smashed the ball at goals forcing the keeper to save. Up steps our trusty striker Blake pouncing on the lifted ball and playing a reverse stick drive that his cricketing coach would be proud of.  Mutual 3 – 2 Paarl.

Paarl turned to all-out attack as soon as they centered off. Peti-Weepo getting in the decisive tackle and just holding the ball up forcing the striker to hack him. Mutual ball…..and yes a little time wasting was in order, we needed just under a minute to secure the win. One “Import” fakey, followed by asking Goose if the player was  5 meters, then followed by throwing the ball as far as I could #SkyRaper and out the grounds……Final Whistle

Final Score: 3-2

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser

#34 – was a struggle and our closest game to date. Boys showed determination!

Keep it going boys!

Winter League Game Week #3 - vs UCT (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

27 April 2013
Venue: UCT
Opponents: UCT
Time: 18h00

We took the pitch after a scrape together of players to fill our 3s with Youngster being sick, Demon at a wedding and Caveman on some helicopter ride. In came Mini as a stand in goalie, new talent Ingo from the 4s and a shock return from retirement for Tallis after being out for a few years.

We took the field looking around very worried, knowing that last year when we played the UCT side in M4 both games were extremely tight and could have gone either way with maybe a goal or two seperating the sides. With Mutual having the ball we centered off and with 3 touches from Pete to TJ then to Brown, Brown rounded the keeper and slot one in from a narrow angle.....18 seconds played. Mutual 1 - 0 UCT.

Speaking on behalf of the other defenders the rest of the half was a massive blur, sweat pouring in my eyes chasing around what seemed like 25 players on the field. A couple of the blond UCT boys resemled Flash Gordon at stages. The next 34minutes and 42 seconds were spent chasing  baby blue shirts around the pitch. I wish we had a medical staff on site i would have made them test all these boys for steroids use. Slowing down play as much as we could, sometimes just banging the ball up field so i could fall into the fetal position for a few minutes and actually breath. 

I asked Vis, who was umpiring, how much more time was left/how much more time i needed to waste so i could collapse on the spot.....7 minutes played was his response. THAT was a blow to my system (and no not the good kind) Felt like that Christmas when my dad gave me a walkie talkie instead of the Dino-Rider Triceritops I wanted. With the sweat pouring down my face and the tear building up behind my eyes, vision was at a minimum.

We did start to have our fair share of counter attacks, with us coming close a couple of time. Then straight back to seeing a sea of blue run at us like a scene from Braveheart. Kev at the tender age of 60 was even force to dive (or fall over not so gracefully) to clear a ball as the UCT forwards were gunning down on him. Mini also saving us a couple of times rushing out early and smothering the ball and anything else he could get his pads to.

As soon as Vis signalled the 10 minutes left in the half everyone seemed to get excited. We didnt have to last that much longer before we could catch our breaths for 10 minutes during half time. Blake received a ball from Pete, and a one touch back stick smash slips one past the keeper to double our lead before half time.  Mutual 2 - 0 UCT.

With the half time whistle going, looking out onto the field, the astro looked like a the aftermath of a battle field with Mutual bodies lying everywhere. Well at least thats the all i could see from the floor. Our team talk was mainly just loud breathing and gasping for air. Some of the guys looked like they were seeing start after a fast paced first half, Blake and Brown stunk of brandy and we kept trying to get Vis' attention to slip him some cash to call the game after 10 minutes.

UCT must have had a team talk from Leonidas, "Tonight we dine in hell" - These boys in baby blue all of a sudden looked vicious and had a taste for blood. Wave after wave of baby blue attacks crashed against the Mutual defense. but some how we stood strong. 

Youngster pulled off some fantastic saves during the half. Mick put in some solid tackles. And Darrin threw in a few crunchers, tacking so hard that the refs decided to give us a breather because the game was getting a little rough and we were told we have a minute to chat to our team and calm things down. Yes, i took my sweet ass time. Breath guys breath, only *Tosser looks at Vis with tears in his eyes*, Vis signals 20.... WTF - are you jas! 

So knowing there was only...ONLY 20 minutes left we decided to use the age old tactic of slowing the game down. Everytime UCT hit the ball out, Tosser would do a slow walk/jog to get the ball and slow play down as much as possible. Two 16's later....15 minutes left. It seemed things were going in our favour. Defending like demons we conceded a couple shorties which our shorty defence kept out well. Kev kept chasing their striker that was 3 times younger than him.

Eventually my tactic of throwing over heads from every 16 worked out. Like a fisherman throws out his line and waits for a bit, a UCT defender bit stopping the ball above his shoulder giving him a breather for 5 minutes. We actually had a chance to get a few passes off. We took control in the last couple of minutes of the game, just trying to keep possession and give our defenders a breather. With the UCT player coming back to the field with a few minutes remaining, it was back to slowing the game down. a few more 16s and few more wasted minutes. Mutual holding off some tough competition for their first clean sheet of the season.

Final Score: 2-0

Yours in awesomeness
Tosser
The unbeaten run continues....#33Unbeaten, next up we have Paarl....in Paarl. Pack your passports boys!

Winter League Game Week #2 - vs Durbanville (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

After getting the first match of the season out of the way with a win, team morale was back to where it was at the end of last season. Even thou we lost crucial players like Shooter and our BEE contingent Winder who both have been demoted to the 2s this season. Our group of veterans, with the few youngsters to run around, were keen to get game #2 out of the way until the day of the game....

20 April 2013
Venue: Fairmont High School
Opponents: Durbanville
Time: 15h00

So game day arrives. Rusty informs us he is going to be late, Tallis sent a txt to the wrong number so he was also out, Darrin was down to play masters and Kev had coaching duties with the ladies 1s....4 players out. No one was happy to see that. Arrive at the field and while we are warming up we noticed that Youngster was not there. so 9 players and no keeper in 500 degree heat at 15h00. jaws were dropping and the guys were trying to fake injuries to get out of the game.

Good news, just before the start of the game Youngster comes running and kits up in 15seconds and is on the field before the start of the match. So we start with 10 men. Looking at the Durbanville *Allstar* team. Basically their first team from when i was playing at Durbanville many years ago when bright orange was still in fashion.lol. Barrett, Dunn, JB, G Swartz(not to be confused with his younger better brother), Toppers, Romburgh, Mini Cooper. We thought we were in big trouble.

Demon basically playing with his phone strapped to his head trying to convince Gazza to come down. Now let me just say a big thank you to Claire Perry-Munn, we know you were sick in bed and your husband was talking care of you. But we really needed him for that hour. So even after all the excuses that Gazza gave Demon and "he had a big lunch"  ; "I am unfit" - Its fine bud...we have 10 players! Gazza hopped in the car and sped down to the astro.

During this time, we had secured our first short corner of the match. Again everyone is shouting to watch the drag flick - Didnt they watch a single game of ours last season? There is no dragflick. I am just an amazing 'fake' drag flicker. The pusher normally pulls out the ball to the stoppers right on purpose because the whole team doesnt want me to flick. Anyway we didnt drag, the ball was slipped to Blake with one oh his famous tap ins. Mutual 1 - 0 Durbanville.

I was just as amazed as everyone else that we went ahead with 10 men. We weren't defending as much as I thought we  would be. We were holding our own still being a man down. Pete taking a quick free hit just outside the circle...and yes it was inside the 5 from the circle. The pass going back to Tosser who then smashed it towards the goal with Demon getting a good deflection on it and the ball sailed into the net. Mutual 2 - 0 Durbanville.

*Gazza Arrives* runs straight onto the field and im sure within his first 5 min of being on the field smashed another goal for us. Im sure Gazza was a slight green colour before he took the shot mumbling to himself "Hulk smash". Because that ball flew into the goals, giving the keeper no chance. Mutual 3 - 0 Durbanville.

Gazza only having been on the field for 5 minutes and we were only just adjusting to having a full team again, Caveman comes in from the wrong side and decides to take a stick to the chin. With blood gushing from the massive gash like a Tarantino movie, he was forced to leave the field to have it looked at and then later went of to hospital to have his 8 stitches in....Done worry Cave, chicks dig scars!

Literally out of no where Swartz pulls off a reverse stick shot that sails into the top left corner of the goal. I would tell you more about the build up....but i really have no idea. Being back down to 10men we opted to keep 3 strikers so defenders we half dead and so glad to hear the half time whistle go. In the words of SJ - that felt like we played for 2 hours. Mutual 3 - 1 Durbanville.

There was no half time talk, there was no talking at all. lots of heavy breathing and water being thrown over heads. It seemed the boys were running on empty. We stuck with our formation hoping for the best. But things seem to still go in our favour. Blake with probably his first strike from top D smashed in a 1-timer seeing us add to our lead. Mutual 4 - 1 Durbanville.

During this time Tosser very calmly at the back did his best to waste as much time as possible. Walking to fetch the ball when it went out, asking the ref how much time was left. The rest of the half was a bit of a blur thou, literally everytime we scored, then scored. and it was just a long back and forth battle until the final whistle. I am not sure how the run up to the goal happened, But Durbies got 2 goals back in very quick succession. As the one went in, we bartelyt had time to adjust and we conceded another. Durbies cutting out lead by quite a bit. Mutual 4 - 3 Durbanville.

Really on the back foot now. We really slowed the game down. Some 16s took over a minute from when the ball went out of play to when the 16 was taken. Mutual playing a little bit more defensive with tired legs say a well worked move get to Gazza 'Hulk" Munn who again shouting SMASH HULK SMASH - really gave it to the ball that the Durbies keeper moved out of the way. Later is was told that the sun was in his eyes.....but he say the ball well enough to get the fuck out of the way. Mutual 5 - 3 Durbanville.

hearing the ump say 10 minutes left gave us a will to live, we jumped back into 5 gear and carried on pushing them, realising that i would rather attack than chase around their strikers defending. Mick getting all excited and actually sprinted out of the back into their circle.....I have spoken to Doc and we are either going to put a harness on him attached to a bungee cord or one of those shocking collars that go off when he crosses the half way line.

 What happened next seems like it was a once off wonder goal. Next practice we are going to try this 100 times to see if Pete could do this again. Receiving the ball just outside top while on the run and with out stopping and controlling the ball, pulled off a running drag flick burying the ball in the top left corner. Ump signalled 5minutes left. Mutual 6 - 3 Durbanville.

Completely slowing the game down and parking the bus, we seemed to hold them well enough in the dying minutes of the game. A ball was smashed thru and no one was able to stop it except Dunn, who managed to come out of no where and get a mean deflection on the ball and score in the dying minutes. Mutual 6 - 4 Durbanville.

I went onto Twitter and followed the guy for the amazing deflection alone. Was a good game, everyone was broken afterward. Showed great fighting spirit and heart to get thru the game with 10 men. Blake breaking some more recored, the only player to pull his hammy, calves, achilles and apparently his toes in one swift movement, ended up face down on the astro for a minute or two!

Final Score: 6-4

Yours in awesomeness
Tosser
Unfortunately no highlights this week. We are patiently awaiting Doc to sort out these Go-Pro cameras. But once that happens....BOOOM. its gona be awesome.

Winter League Game Week #1 - vs WPCC (Mens 3s) - 2013 Season

First match of the seaon saw us come up against the Brawlers of WPCC who finished 4th last season in M3. Being the newly promoted side we had no idea what was in store for us in this league. 

13 April 2013
Venue: WPCC
Opponents: WPCC
Time: 19h30

Taking the field for our first game of the season, without our prolific goal scorer from the previous season Simon "27goals" Blake. We had however upgraded our umpire from the previous seasons first game. Vis stepping in for Goose - we were assured that there would be no disallowed goal in the last 5 seconds of the game this time around. We were looking to spend the first few minutes feeling out our opponents. This didnt last verg long, a ball was smashed from the left across the face of goals and X getting a great touch to send the ball into the goals past Tea-bag. Mutual 1 - 0 WPCC.

The second goal, if you watch the video, saw a ball deflected into the air and Brownie reacting quickly to smash it home. This was disallowed and we were given a shorty/free hit outside. It seemed like the WPCC side were setting up for a shorty and Tosser was taking a free hit outside. And in all this confusion a wounded rabbit was sent bobbling past the left foot of Tea-bag. Mutual 2 - 0 WPCC.

Demon dispossessed a defender in their circle and sends the ball across the D to TJ sitting on the post. After TJ's first attempt which went straight into the defender and the second, the third finally finding the back of the net but the p-flick was already awarded. Caveman stepping up since Shooter (our p-flicker from last year) had been demoted to 2s. Unfortunately Caveman narrowly missed. 

During one of the couple attacks that WPCC made into our 25 in the first half, which can only described as a WTF moment. The ball being smashed across the circle and taking a massive deflection off Mick's stick, the ball looping over Youngster straight to a WPCC sticker camping on the post to smash in their first goal of the season. Mutual 2 - 1 WPCC.

We then uppded our game and started throwing the ball around quite nicely, some great running off the ball by our strikers and Brownie getting one of those tap-ins that him and Blake were so famous for last year. Mutual 3 - 1 WPCC.

Just before the end of the first half we were pushing at WPCC, wanting another goal before the half time whistle went. Brown receiving a ball from the right his deflection hitting the keeper and then with the rebound some how managing to pop the ball around the keeper and into the goals. Mutual 4 - 1 WPCC.

We started the second half pretty much the same way we ended the first half, trying to go flat out and forgetting we only had 1 sub. But everything worked out fine when X capitalised on a pass from Caveman putting us further in the lead and keeping our momentum up. Mutual 5 - 1 WPCC.

Our team seems to be haunted by this new rule or our defenders just want to get on the score sheet. An own goal conceded against the run of play. Quite unlucky, but it still counts. Mutual 5 - 2 WPCC.

Then what can only be described as pure power, we did to WPCC what they had jsut done to us. Tosser smashing in a slap from the 25 which we all thought was sailing harmlessly wide got a touch off a defenders stick slowly creeping into the goals.Mutual 6 - 2 WPCC.

Conceding only our second short corner of the match, we should have dealt with the scramble in the box. Either its too much faith in our short corner defence or everyone on the halfway line is jsut too lazy to get back. after Youngster pulling off a few saves the ball was eventually scrambled over by WPCC. Mutual 6 - 3 WPCC.

Our master Darrin continuing to put in a few crunching tackles turned over a counter from WPCC......does that make what we did a re-counter? Anyway we won our first shorty of the match. With cries from the WPCC team shouting to "watch the big guys drag" - Feeling quite shocked as i thought i had trimmed down over the off season. Apparently it looks like i have been on the same "Pie Diet" as Bastick. So fake drag it was, to Caveman and after a goal line scramble with their post man kicking the ball then sticking out his hand to "Suarez" the ball, it still went in thanks to the determination of Demon.

Final Score: 7-3

Yours in awesomeness
Tosser
If you would like to watch the highlights reel from our game, WPCC was kind enough to send us the link to their you tube of their Go Pro cameras. We at Mutual is seriously looking into getting two of these cameras, because lets face it.....its pretty awesome!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3iZOcy5cno

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iC-TzjfSIQk&list=UUl9mHTbIUR7CUgDEQHUJ4oA&index=1

3s Indoor season review 2012/2013

Helllooooo

After 5 months of fighting with my IT company I finally have access to my own blog again. Where to begin…….

I might as well start with a little season round up of the Mens 3s Indoor side. By the way we dominated at the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2013 I am sure that a couple of our guys are off to the HIL next time around.

10 October 2012

Venue: Sunningdale

Opponents: Bellville

Final Score: 10-7

18 October 2012

Venue: Sunningdale

Opponents: Brokeback

Final Score: 11-3

24 October 2012

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: Sacs

Final Score: 5-4

01 November 2012

Venue: Sunningdale

Opponents: Central

Final Score: 8-1

05 November 2012

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: VD Stel

Final Score: 8-3

14 November 2012

Venue: Sunningdale

Opponents: Central

Final Score: 5-4

So only the two close results. Im not saying it was easy. We worked our asses off. So with these 6 wins it took the unbeaten Mens 3s unbeaten streak to 24. People started comparing the 3s to the Arsenal invincibles of 2003/2004.

21 January 2013

Venue: UCT A

Opponents: Central

Final Score: 4-2

28 January 2013

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: Bellville

Final Score: 8-7

10 February 2013

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: MOB

Final Score: 5-3

17 February 2013

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: Fishhoek

Final Score: 14-3

25 February 2013

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: Dodos

Final Score: 7-0

04 March 2013

Venue: SANDF

Opponents: Pinelands

Final Score: 7-4

The second half of the indoor season was a lot tougher. And we slowly realised that talent alone couldn’t get us through the season. Since we had none of that “fitness” stuff that players in the higher leagues keep talking about, we all found safety behind the stick of Luke “Fluffy” Jones – the undisputed Stickblock Champion of the world. So after 3 really tight tough games, we cruised to the end of the season with a few games that rained goals.

Sparky ending off the season with 8 goals. Stick block Champion with 12 (only playing the second half of the season).  Tosser with an unprecedented 52 for the season in 12. Yeah I know its not good to boast and brag but foooking hell, 14 hatricks – including a hatrick hatrick in there…… Well done me.

After a solid indoor season to back up our great for in the 2012 outdoor season we were looking forward to 2013 hoping to keep the unbeaten run going as long as possible.

Yours in awesomeness

Tosser