hants

The big day had arrived and the Dads would be able to test their metal against the old codgers of the cricket club. Eh! What, no Tim Tremlett, no Mark Dennis no dodgey ground staff - all they could manage were young, fit, sportsmen who have played a reasonable level of football at sometime. Adi Aymes had played for Bristol City, Will Kenway for Reading, Lee Savident - Pompey etc.
The Dads were a bit short at kick-off; no Tim Hart - Xmas shopping in Winchester, Jim Allen - Housework or Rob Frisby. Jeff Peasah and Alan Aburrow had Tyro league business. Good old Mark Shipside, John Lynch and Jerry Pugh turned up to support / for the entertainment. Jason is going to have a go but he's carrying a knee injury.

SPRINGHILL DADS
Back row; Dave Smith, Dave Hedges, Brian Medway, Les Maros, Jon Elms, Jason Furness, Rob Thorpe, Tony O'Neill.
Front row; Reuben Agboola, Andy Simpson, Jerry Pugh, Paul Hanvey, Tony Pascoe

Subs; John Frisby, John Willis, Mathew McLauchlan
Playing for Opp'n; Martin Kingsbury

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY CRICKET CLUB.
Mark Miller
Jim Bovill - Jason Laney - Adi Aymes - Jeff Accountant
Simon Renshaw - Ian Brunschweiller - Derek Kenway - Martin Kingsbury
Lee Savident - Roger Miller
Subs; Mark Dennis, Shaun Udal

Great news from the Hawks Mark Dennis can't play, he injured an ankle in training and didn't want to risk it on the astro and the Dads had fixed it for him to be sent off as he walked on the pitch - shame! So, Hampshire were down to 10 and Martin Kingsbury can now lay claim to being the only Springhill Dad to have played for Hampshire County Cricket Club. The Dads had their own secret weapon in Reuben Agboola, who arrived in time for the pre-kick off team photo in a chauffeur driven limousine, already kitted out. Unfortunately, half of the Dads squad didn't turn up, for some reason.
From the kick off the Hawks strolled into the Dads half casually passing to each other and running with the ball - what a curious tactic, it'll never catch on. Will Kendal played the ball through for LEE SAVIDENT who took a stride, dummied Tony Pascoe and hammered the ball wide of Les. That shook the Dads and they were quickly back into their stride to watch ROGER MILLER make a great run up the right wing. He cut inside, under pressure from Paul Hanvey but still got his shot off, firing low into the back of the net - Les just an unwilling spectator.
After those two sucker punches the Dads managed to hold the Hawks for a while and even managed to get a bit of the play. Reuben, looking good in his Dads strip, was playing in front of the back four hadn't lost any of his old form and after breaking up one attack put Andy Simpson away who fed Dave Hedges. Dave made a great run through from mid-field and fired off a great drive which skimmed the post and ended up fizzing, in the hockey goal (1/2 goal).
Most of the Dads efforts were snuffed out by some solid defensive work by Adi and Jason. The Dads possession didn't last long and the next thing you know Martin Kingsbury was getting in on the act forcing Les into making a couple of fine saves. The next goal was a simple effort, LEE SAVIDENT was on the score sheet again with a blistering shot from the edge of the penalty area. The Dads were under severe pressure now and Reuben had to revert to sweeper in an attempt to shore up the defence.
Jason could see the writing on the wall, blazing and in letters ten foot high. And so he limped off to be replaced by John Frisby. Jason hadn't even managed one of his trade-mark sliding tackles or long range effort to test the cross bar.
Some lovely play from the Hawks and the Dads gratefully conceding the corner, Tony managed to head away but only as far as IAN BRUNSCHWEILLER drilled home from 10 yards despite the attentions of John Frsby.
The Ref was having a howler, talk about star stuck. 'Oh, Adi, how's the missus?' 'Hi Jason still getting up the club?' Then, instead of watching the game, he seemed to be taking more of an interest in the Springhill Kids whipping the Sports Centre Yobs before they ran off with the ball in disgust.

Half Time - Dads 0 - 4 Hawks
The lucky match programme draw for the Hampshire County Cricket Club shirt was won by Rob Thorpe.
Mark Dennis gave the Hawks their half time talk. He was desperately serious with his tactics and strategy - he was absolutely determined that his side keeps a clean sheet. For the Dads Mad Mal made a blinding substitution - John Willis came on for Reuben Agboola??? One old pro for another - what can we say.
One fantastic piece of magic saw Adi completely sell John Elms the dummy, lock stock and barrel - with a look, a shimmy and a change of direction - John was left standing there bemused and feeling just a little foolish. Adi was sprinting up-field unmolested with the ball to start another attack. The ball was played out to the wing and SIMON RENSHAW scored the goal with a cracking header from a Derek Kenway cross. Les was really playing out of his skin but these lads were really good.
After 15 minutes Mathew McLauchlan come on for Paul Hanvey the poor dear had been run ragged. A fresh pair of legs might help, you never know. He played his part as the Dads did manage a bit of possession. John Willis had a go and played the ball up to Brian, who'd made a run, he collected the ball off his back-side and passed to Robbie who crossed/shot and there were the two Daves at the far post doing their dying swan impressions but missing the ball.
Robbie was busy claiming the 1/2 goal when it ended up in the hockey goal as Mark Miller cleared up field to DEREK KENWAY who out stripped the defence and fired home with Les flat footed. Then, from nothing, Adie Aymes let loose a shot from well inside his own half and lo and behold it carried . . . and carried. Les at first was happy just watching it in the air but the penny dropped and he realised that he had to take action - it looked to be going in the top corner but just faded at the last.
For once John Elms managed to skip through an Adie Aymes challenge and got in a shot but under pressure form Jason Laney it was going just wide. Dave Smith read the situation well and managed to connect with a sliding volley which brought out an amazing one handed diving save from the keeper
Five minutes before time LEE SAVIDENT was again put through and completed his hat trick putting Les the wrong way. The last few minutes was a sad sight Robbie Thorpe and John Elms, encouraged by Mad Mal were running into the box and throwing themselves on the floor looking for some charity from the Ref, but he was more interested in the Kids footie.
Mercifully the clock finally ticked around to 3 o'clock and Tony was able to put the Dads out of their agony.

FULL TIME - DADS 1 - 7 HANTS

After the game the players retired to the Pub in the Park for some well deserved refreshments and a super buffet prepared by Reuben's staff. Then on to the Grand Raffle - MC none other than the Mad Taff, ‘who let him loose on the Microphone’.
The raffle went well and a lot of prizes, many thanks to the contributors. The jury is still out on the full collection for Leukaemia Busters and the Playground Fund.
Top prize - the trip to France, was won by Dave Hedges. Other notable winners were; Finbar Lynch - Non-surgical face lift, bottle of Whiskey - John Elms - after he put the wine that he’d donated back in the draw, Cricket Shirt - Jack Frost, Fluffy Tiger - Ricky (the Parkie).