Once upon a time there was a couple of blokes called Bryn and Matt, who dreamt of involving their Fourth Grade mates in Division Six finals.
While a lack of goals, conceding a few too many and a shortage of fit, willing, able-bodied and available (more than 37 but less than 39 players used) young men dented these dreams, the fire still flickered.
Hamstrings gave up, easy shots were missed, cards received, players were late or shot through early or were having a quiet sandwich when the first whistle blew, but the dream lived on.
After 18 games Bryn and Matt’s troops scored at a rate of less than one goal per game while averaging less than five against, the old adage of, “lies, damn lies and statistics” showing that their faith in the troops was not misplaced.
The stats sheet showed that 33% of the time the Magpies defended The Nest well every time, with all three, count ‘em, three wins coming on their home pile allowing the song to ring out from the home sheds.
Potentially Ben Bash binning a tomma against YMCC made that song even louder.
The dream will be lived!
Despite not actively being involved in the finals series, Bryn and Matt’s men did have an impact on the makeup of the four with two finals-bound sides walking into the nest and leaving without points and a negative impact on their goal difference.
One such team finished three points off third place and a home final but now have to hire campervans to play their knockout semi in a different hemisphere.
Teams in finals will know that tough hockey is what is needed to be successful at the pointy end of the season, and the teams who learned from playing the FCHC M4s will be best placed to claim the flag.
Whether it’s running relentlessly like Axis, demanding the ball and rolling like Griff, leading and re-leading and re-leading and not having an overhead hit your stick like Bryn, using a “secret weapon” to concede a stroke and prevent a clear goal like Dan or smiling ever so politely in PCD like Huggsy despite having half a dozen fizz past earlier, finals teams can learn a lot from Bryn and Matts men.
Overall, they can learn what it is like to have a bloody good time playing hockey.
Unless hockey is paying your bills, the ONLY acceptable reason to play is to enjoy yourself.
Bryn and Matt walked arm in arm into the sunset of season 2025, hand in hand knowing they impacted finals, can share a goal scoring trophy and live happily ever after.
Add comment
Comments