Bristol & West Hockey Club - Bristol's Friendliest Hockey Club

6 May 2010

Frys “Friendlies” 2-1 BandW Summer A

After a hard days work (or in Ali’s case a midday rise followed by 18 pints of snakebite and black) there’s nothing like a good friendly summer league match. Ironic really, this was nothing like a good friendly summer league match.

Someone had neglected to tell Frys that the season was over and B&W turned up in dribs and drabs to see the oppo warming up like they meant it. Judging by their fiercest teddy-bear stares, they actually did mean it.

Bristol and West on the other hand warmed up in the traditional manner: Speculative passes, rubbish flicks and convivial chat about the 2s actually winning a match. We can all proudly recall where we were when we heard that news.

Having spent much of the season beating (up) the teams in North South West Bristol Somerset division 17b Frys were obviously expecting more of the same. After a goal-less 1^st half where all that had been decided was that the best Frys had to offer was an excellent umpire (I know, but I’m probably going to come across her again next season and there’s no need to rock the boat) Frys looked like they were the only ones who didn’t get the joke and some bottom lips were beginning to wobble.

They looked even more miffed when Ed wrong footed the keeper with a cheeky reverse and we went 1 up. Ed had a great evening managing to make the Frys back line look foolish time and time again. He managed to stay clear of most of the body checks much in favour with Frys (“man and ball” seemed to be the tactic “and we’re not too fussed about the ball neither”). It was a good job he stayed out of their way as a couple looked the hungry sort and would have swallowed him whole.

The Frys team obviously had their toys taken out of their prams at an early age and were threatening to take their ball away if we didn’t give them something.

Unfortunately we proved too generous and they scored on the break. B&W are an all attacking unit, probing through the middle and down both flanks. Unfortunately on Wednesday we weren’t an all defending unit and Frys broke quickly, passing well (maybe a warm up does help) The few remaining defenders (the laziest) picked the wrong options and Mike was left stranded. 1-1.

Frys now realised that they could take us. With an army of subs and at least 2 clipboards they had the edge.  They have played well all season and are tightly knit unit. Pressure began to tell and we started to concede shorts. These were mostly poorly executed but one eventually lead to the winner. Mike had made a number of excellent saves during the game and once again came to our rescue. Frys realised his worth and tasked one of their number to sit on him when a short broke down. With the keeper out of the picture Rob put his body on the line and the inevitable flick was awarded and converted.

The match finished in ugly fashion, with handbags being swung all over the place. Not really summer league stuff and if  I’d wanted schoolgirl histrionics I’d have stayed at work.

Category: Summer League |