Top-of-the-table win for M3s

Saturday 3rd February saw the Men’s 3s continue their campaign against an old enemy, Grange. A top of the league battle, a clash of Titans, two heavy weights, dark vs light, good vs evil, the Force vs the Darkside... you get the idea!

Having returned to the pitch only 1 week before in preparation for this match with a “friendly” against the men’s 4s and losing, followed by a Swarbs training session that would cripple most mortals, left a seed of doubt in the men in maroon whether they could slay this Goliath.

Captain Rob Stewart, seizing the opportunity with a high availability, fielded one the this season’s strongest teams with a full 16. All men would be called upon this day to do battle!

The first half saw a strong start from the men in maroon, showing that the loss to the 4s was the fuel to ignite the fire! Like a fierce pride of lions pouncing on its prey, the men in maroon gave it their all. Unfortunately not so for one, Littlejohn, who must have still been thinking of the endless nappy changes the night before saw a ball from the opposition smashed through, deflecting off his stick straight to the unmarked Grange player lurking in the D, 1-0 Grange. Let’s hope Lauren doesn’t get her hockey ability from her daddy!

However, the 3s did not panic and rallied behind Littlejohn to keep his chin up. Keeping it positive, the men in maroon regained their composure and continued their barrage of attack. Wave after wave saw the team pressuring for an equaliser, but in end-to end play Grange also had chances. In a key moment, Watsonians avoided dropping 2 goals behind when Clements pulled off a great goal line save from a shin height short corner strike. Buoyed by this let-off, Watsonians continued to push forward and started to win their own shorties. Having narrowly missed a first penalty corner, the maroons were keen to improve on the second.

A well injected ball by Hogarth stopped by Stewart with pinpoint accuracy fed to Littlejohn who played it to the post. A well saved made by the keeper saw the ball back to the top of the D to Sholdis. Not knowing what to do he tossed the potato to international veteran, Stewart. Cool as a cucumber and showing his class, Stewart made the decision to play it back to the back post knowing that Cannon would be there to strike. That he did. 1-1 at the half.

After much chit chat at the halftime, the men in maroon were keen to continue the attack. The air drew thick and the rain begun to fall keeping the men in maroon cool under the pressure. Undeterred by the scoreline, the Watsonians continued to play in a way that hasn’t been seen much this season, by seeking the simple pass!

Simple pass to simple pass led to easy ball releasing our wide players well. Johnson on many an occasion on the receiving end with an open field like a catwalk runway to pirouette and glide with the ball glued to his stick (and not his feet for a change). Perhaps this new Johnson had something to do with his recent proposal to his beloved (congratulations) or the yoga retreat in Bali or the masseur, Frank. Whatever the reason, he played on a different level today. Man of the Match.

Another penalty corner for the men in maroon saw an unusually simple routine, a ball to the right post. This time paying off with Cannon bagging his second. 2-1. Victory in sight?

Grange had other ideas. They pushed an extra man up and scored in some way that is but a distant memory amongst the haze of swaddling, crying and lullabies. 2-2.

The Watsonians were not done there and felt blood eager to fell this giant. Hogarth in a trademark run leading from the left along the baseline saw the keeper miss the ball and slide out through Hogarth's legs. The forward valiantly stayed on his feet and put the ball in the net but a stroke had already been awarded.

Hogarth being the big game player, so no hesitation to take but initially looked for Littlejohn (the team’s regular stroke taker). Littlejohn seeing the confidence in Hogarth did not hesitate to relinquish the role to him. A good move, as Hogarth calmly sent the keeper the wrong way and scoring in the bottom right hand corner. 3-2 Watsonians.

With only 4mins left on the clock, the maroons knew what to expect. However, like the titanic hitting the iceberg, Grange sank and the Watsonians were victorious! Final score 3-2 Watsonians.

Thanks to Pete Gillespie for umpiring and Jodie Dunz for supporting (I hope Ian finally gave you those socks to warm up your feet).