Elfs (vaguely l to r): Howard Steed, Lucy Mitchell, Lauren Brown, Chris Pearson, Colin T (capt), Hazel Polge, Simon Jelley, Matt Kern, Wilco Dijkstra, Tom Rosselli, Louise Walker (GK), Eimear Lee
Santas (vaguely l to r): Meg Barne, Mike Karran, Dani Kilsby-Steele (capt), Shin Kim, Rich Hollidge, Harry Chalk, Oli Lamming, Andy Thomas (GK), Cath Anthony, Douglas Gibson, Laura Edge, Ali Edge
This was Jan's prediction for this game;
13:30: L2 vs The Irregulars
There should be a good crowd to cheer the L3s on, as following itwe have this game between the L2s and The Irregulars. Or more accurately, players from Dani’s squad and a motley collection from the Men’s club assembledby Colin (the motliest of the lot) will split into two roughly even sides for a festive knockabout prior to the Christmas Party. With the hours in between thegame and the party bridged by pizza and an additional pub session, just because,well, you know, Christmas!!!!
Yes, there was an excellent crowd for the game prior to this. The L3s had a fantastic match against the Nomads L2s, narrowly losing 0-1 against well organised opponents. It was very entertaining to watch and, as Jan's report states, probably the most important thing to focus on/take from the fixture that followed.
Oh, and curiosity led me to check out the definition of 'Motley';
adjective
adjective: motley; comparative adjective: motlier; superlative adjective: motliest
- incongruously varied in appearance or character; disparate.
"a motley crew of discontents and zealots"
*I always find using the dictionary a slippery slope, as the descriptive words used to describe the word you are looking up are also sophisticated, leading you to then have to look that word up, and then the following descriptive words for that word. I have just spent the last thirty minutes learning what 'motley', 'zealot', 'theocracy', 'ecclesiocracy' and 'deity' all mean.
Jan's pre-match summary was therefore nearly accurate. However (due to some brilliant organisation), Dani's Santa team were supplied with matching Santa hats, and Colin's Elfs were donning the more elaborate Elf hats (inclusive of ears) that made everyone look very uniform and festive.
The first half was the better of the two halves. The Santas took an early lead through the Engine scoring. Hazel then levelled for the Elfs and then the Santas scored again through a good bit of composure in the D by Rich. The Elfs levelled through Lauren and it was two-two at half time. The team selection was based on who I thought in the men's list had an old green shirt and who was too new to the club and only had the replacement purple shirts. It had nothing to do with making the teams even but at half time I was thinking this team selection was luckily just that.
The second half was not so even and the Santa's scored a further three times through the Engine (who completed his hat trick) and Wizard. The final score was 5-2.
It chucked it down the whole match and everyone got soaked but it was still great fun. Even the two umpires (Jack and Steve) were loving the event and were provided with festive hats (albeit I have now established that Jack hates hats).
My highlight of the day was getting a lift in Simon's Lotus Elise, although getting in and out of the car with two big soaking wet kit bags was somewhat challenging.
The match photo was taken at half time when the score was level and everyone was in a festive mood (in my opinion the best faces to look for in the photo belong to Howard, Rich, Harry and Wizard);
FINAL SCORE
Santas 5 - 2 Elfs
Scorers: Santas - Ali Edge (3), Rich Hollidge, Oli Lamming; Elfs - Hazel Polge, Lauren Brown
MoM: Ali Edge - Scored a hat trick, but more crucially purchased a jug of beer because of this, securing crucial MOM votes. :)
LoM: Colin T - Every time I get the ball people are shouting 'aerial, aerial'. I give them what they beg me for. I then find these same people giving me a LOM vote for throwing aerials!?!?! Life is confusing sometimes.