SEERL 2 vs. Phoenix SERL

Result: 11 - 10

Date: 22/01/2012

Venue:

Report:

After the ‘debacle’ of the previous Sunday, City 2 went into the SERL Division 2 clash against the mean, green, average-standard korfball machine that is Phoenix, looking to seek revenge and to show true bounce-back-ability. The eight warriors lining-up with fire in their eyes, bringing their A-games, were Captain Wallace, Royal, Wooldridge, Gaunt, Lyons, Birch, French, and Kussam.., Kuma.., Kusamalla.., Halim. All the talk before the game was about some tall Dutch guy, but who cared about that? Rob Wallace certainly didn’t as he kept him quiet for the majority of the game. Maybe their tactics were Lost in Translation? Serves them right, those Inglourious Basterds. No sorry, that’s harsh, they’re Goodfellas really.

The game itself started brightly and early indiscipline from Phoenix gave ‘Penalty Stalwart’ Royal the chance to open the scoring from the penalty spot, which of course he duly obliged. Due to no-one on the side-lines recording the goal information (including Dr Dave, who was too pre-occupied hoping Royal would make his usual characteristic mistakes so he could come on and ‘save the day’), this report lacks exact scoring details, but let’s just say goals were scored and conceded, meaning City 2 went in at half-time leading 5-3. Lyons did score a monster of a long shot, that is for certain. Oh, and Penalty Clown Royal missed a penalty.


This gave Coach Collier the chance to pass on her usual words of wisdom. Clear instructions were given to Player of the Season front-runner Royal of ‘When in feed, always give and go’, followed by ‘wait a few seconds in feed before passing’. It’s the inability of Royal to understand simple orders like this that make him one of the most frustrating players to coach and to watch.


The only change at half-time saw Gaunt, who had only arrived back in the country the night before, replaced by Mawditt, a true student of the game, who proceeded to score two goals in an action packed second half. Highlights of the second half included some unbelievable movement from former-NBA star Kusummall.. Kalihari.. Kamara Halim, and Royal continuing to outclass an ageing Gary Cole. Phoenix were clearly missing Simon ‘The Phoenix George’ Hall, as Royal dominated in collect. Time and time again he plays well against shorter people, but is always found wanting when he’s up against anyone taller or who knows what they are doing.


Phoenix’s sloppy play was what ultimately shaped the result as it proved to be their Downfall, even after they had led the game by one goal midway through the second half. However, at 8-all, Royal pulled off his trademark guile move (you know the one? He did it against Paul Kim in the City 2 v Tigers 1 game? Made him look foolish), and suckered Cole into giving away another penalty. Royal stepped up and of course he scored. Lyons then sunk a penalty at the other end. Royal stepped up for another penalty and of course he missed. Then Royal stepped up for another penalty and of course he scored, completing his 5th hat trick of the season (#underrated).


Phoenix did score late on and, because of calamitous scoreboard operating, none of the players knew the actual score until the final whistle went. 11-10 to City 2. 3 goals for Royal, 2 for Lyons, 2 for super-sub Mawditt, 1 for Wallace, and 3 for MVP Kumalla..Kustard..Kambar.. Halim. That was more like it from City 2, Captain Wallace can be proud of the way his team hung in there, showed real mettle, and came out of the game with the ‘W’. This team is showing flashes of brilliance, they have turned the corner, and they are heading in the right direction. The only way is up. What happened in their next game then against Vikings 1 the following night, a solid performance and another win most likely? Have fun writing the report for that one J-Lo…


#neverindoubt

#theyweregreenwithenvy

#wearetopoftheleague

#gotthemonkeyoffourbacks

#phoenixpaidthepenalty