LX CLUB  4  v  North Select  2

Sheffield 7^th November 2010

The curse of the organiser struck again and having played in goal two years ago when the North goalkeeper was injured  ,  with the number of volunteers , not a single cry off from start to finish for both teams and a shortage of an umpire I didn’t get to play out again!!

The weather as always in Sheffield for LX was sunny and the pre match coffee and particularly the carrot cake went down well. It was really good to see so many wives accompanying both teams.

Two well matched sides with LX marshalled by Dave Ewing , assisted by Ray Jeff and the North Select organised by Chris Hills  and Dave Durrans. Mike Patton and Richard Yardley were making their debuts for LX and two LXers including new member Angus Brogden and Dave Durrans were strengthening the North team.

It was fairly even stevens for the first 20 minutes with Angus Brogden and Dave Durrant prominent for the North select  and from Angus Brogden’s run the North Select were awarded the first short corner. Pete Thomas and Angus Brogden worked the ball to Martin Codina who slotted the ball home. LX thought they had equalised when Richard Yardley smartly finished off a short corner only to find the LX umpire had disallowed the goal as Bill Warrender had been interfering with Dik Skippings in the North goal at the time. LX pressed hard with overlaps from Dave Margerison and Mike Patton strengthening the midfields and forwards but the North Select  goal led a charmed life with some incredible saves and clearances and there were no more goals upto half time.

Another North Select short corner resulted in a penalty stroke for a stick followed by leg on the line and Pete Thomas confidently put the ball away although Jim Harris guesting for LX did get a touch to it.

LX then started to dominate and reduced the deficit with a sublime deflection by Rod Cochrane from a Ray Jeff cross. Richard Yardley then opened his account with a well worked goal to bring the scores level.

It was end to end with both sides having chances but the LX midfield with Alistair Robertson , Ted Hayes and Ray Jeff prominent and Richard Yardley was always a threat up front despite John Ridings and three others at times trying to stop him. Whenever the North select threatened there was good cover and some quick outlets from Andy Holden ,Colin Pearce and Dave Ewing  Brian Woolcott put in a good crosses from the right and from the follow up Ray Jeff  converted from the top of the D to put LX in front with about ten minutes left and in the dying minutes Bill Warrender added a fourth  following another incisive move.

Everyone then refreshed themselves and enjoyed a late Sunday lunch together.

It was well supported by wives and friends and no fewer than 47 sat down for the meal.

A good time was had by all with camaraderie in abundance , just what it is all about and some were still in the bar four hours later!

Reporter: Roger Lomas

LX Team Rod Cochrane ,David Ewing ,Jim Harris,Ted Hayes,Andy Holden.David Margerison,  Mike Patton,Colin Pearce ,Ray Jeff ,Alistair Robertson , Bill Warrender,Brian Woolcott,Richard Yardley

North Select  Ernie Brittain-Dodd ,Angus Brogden ,Martin Codina, Fred Crouch ,David Durrans , Chris Hills, Dave McCormack ,John Ridings ,Michael Rushmere ,Richard Skippings ,Ric Stewart, Derek Stuart , Peter Thomas ,David Woodward

Umpires Roger Lomas and Andy Pettigrew

A selection of comments from the emails received afterwards said :-

Yesterday's game was quite one of the best that I have played in for a long time.

The balance between the two sides was exactly right, and it was a real pleasure to play with many of the newer ,more powerful LX'ers,as it raises ones own game ,no end

Thanks for inviting me, thoroughly enjoyed the day meeting friends and making new ones. Only slight glitch was having to run around chasing that bloke YARDLEY! If you pick me again and he is playing can I request that I play on his side and let someone else try and catch him!

Excellent game yesterday at Sheffield - LX 2 - 0 down but came back to win 4-2.

Arrangements top class as usual.

Thanks once again for organising everything last Sunday.

I really enjoyed the match and meeting "old" friends again!