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