Sherborne HC 1st XI 2007 / 8 Mid Season Report
The 1st XI continued their good form which saw promotion last season into this new division. The step up to Hereford and Glos Division 1 meant travel to new venues, the chance to test our mettle against tougher opposition and the welcoming of new recruits to our squad. Familiar sights this season have been the inability of the Team Coach to control his bladder, an array of daft woolly hats, passes from defence to opposition centre forwards and stunning air shots. Oh yes, and lots of goals and league points.
The reason that the season has started so well is primarily because of our pace up front and it’s the difference between us and the majority of sides that we have played against. Hoggit Harding and Blind Alex Edwards with the help of Mad Dog Hulbert have caused havoc in most opposition halves and as a result we average an amazing 5.2 goals per match. This could have been even higher if misses like those of Emile "The Gut Grey had been avoided. At Lansdowne and just after a classic miss from 1.5inches of the goal line (with no keeper in sight), "The Gut was heard saying that he was irritated because he mistook his belly button for the ball. Nonetheless, we have shown great character and have come through niggly games like those against Lydney and Cheltenham.
The forwards have been wonderfully assisted by a midfield that dominated most matches and used the pace of The Whippet Dougherty, Knobbly Knees Newitt and Speedy Jim Bridger who linked very well with the forwards. This aggressive attack has been complimented by the solid yet deft Ed "Pulled my Buttock Shaw and James "Might just dribble up my own backside Waltham. Rather interestingly our very own Pirate Ed managed to fit very well into both of these roles as and when needed.
The defence has looked at the unbelievable success that speed and agility has brought up front and decided to do completely the opposite. The keeper, "Love farmyard animals Godwin, has bailed the defence out time and again and thank goodness. However, led by "Several Lunches Hobkirk and with the help of the "Camping in the oppo D Demczak and "Hanging on by a thread Siriwardene, the unit is still the second meanest outfit in the division. Individuals like Smoker Hanks, Always Knackered Shepherd, Arms & Legs Sperry and Chicken n Gravy have helped to maintain a solid start to the season.
A massive "thank you goes to our home umpires who have turned up in all sorts of weather and have also had to put up with bad behaviour from some opposition teams. Also, we provide some of the finest match teas in the league and "thanks to the cooking team for that!
BUT we are only half way through and so we must start the New Year as we finished 2007. So have a great Christmas and let’s get back focused and ready for the big games ahead!
