Another win, despite not playing our best. But usually when you win without even playing your best, it is naturally seen as a sign for champions. So maybe this will be a blessing in disguise. I certainly hope so, because if we play like that against Keele, then I can see it being a very sad day for all of us.
I did not expect the match to be that close and even more surprising was we only took the lead in the final quarter. But a win is a win and some times it doesn't matter how you win, just as long as you do.
Also, I don't think I have seen so many fights for ground balls , one-handed pick-ups and one-handed cradling. It really annoyed me, because if you are going to cradle one-handed, make sure your shaft is not exposed for the whole world to see. It needs to be protected or else that ball will just fly out. If I was captain I would certainly make sure everyone cradles with both hands and knows how to protect their shafts instead of egg-and-spooning it, which I did see today but I won't name names this time.
Right, that's all the negative vibes gone and now we are on route to compliment city.
My first mention will go to the come-back kid, Roids. He put in a great performance today. He never stopped, never gave up in those many fights for ground balls and all that effort resulted in the game winner. It was great to see him back and I feel a lot more confident for Varsity when it comes to those fights for ground balls.
Next highlight of mine was the very impressive performances from Andy and Justin. With very little experience under your belt, I usually would not expect much contribution, but today you two seemed to be involved in almost every attack, fight for ground balls and even the odd defending. Like everyone, there is still room for improvement, but I think you two have really stepped up your game.
It was good to see Nathan in goal again despite having to be told at the last minute. I always forget how good he is between the sticks as well as in attack. For defense, today it seemed a bit of a struggle. I don't think we were as quiet as Dimi and Drysdale kept saying, but I do agree we were quiet too many times. I do hope we can improve because as we now have lost 'Captain Fresher' everyone needs to up their game.
One thing that I think people did not mention enough yesterday was how well we did having to cope with doing a four-man zone when defending. I have never had to be part of a four-man zone but we actually pulled it off and we kept us in the game, which I was very surprised.
Final mentions have to go to our other goalscorers. Another man-of-the-match performance by Marcus and one that was very well deserved. He ran rings around Oxford Brookes and they could not compete with his speed and stick protecting skills. I hope he keeps this up as it will be vital in future matches, including Varsity.
And, finally Shane Hall who once again put in a standard 'Rat' performance. Your passion is excellent and I believe everyone should take note of that and have the same. But there is a line and you just seem to step over it too many times and I am talking about your penalties. I did not realise until after the game off that he was close to being sent off again. I and a few others keep saying for you to watch the illegal checking and swearing but I think it is just an instinct thing and we cannot do anything to change that. So I think we may have to live with it.
Next up is East Anglia on Saturday. The reverse fixture was probably our best performance of the season in my opinion, I hope for something similar at the weekend guys. Let's make sure we can have a chance of promotion goin into our final league match.
I did not expect the match to be that close and even more surprising was we only took the lead in the final quarter. But a win is a win and some times it doesn't matter how you win, just as long as you do.
Also, I don't think I have seen so many fights for ground balls , one-handed pick-ups and one-handed cradling. It really annoyed me, because if you are going to cradle one-handed, make sure your shaft is not exposed for the whole world to see. It needs to be protected or else that ball will just fly out. If I was captain I would certainly make sure everyone cradles with both hands and knows how to protect their shafts instead of egg-and-spooning it, which I did see today but I won't name names this time.
Right, that's all the negative vibes gone and now we are on route to compliment city.
My first mention will go to the come-back kid, Roids. He put in a great performance today. He never stopped, never gave up in those many fights for ground balls and all that effort resulted in the game winner. It was great to see him back and I feel a lot more confident for Varsity when it comes to those fights for ground balls.
Next highlight of mine was the very impressive performances from Andy and Justin. With very little experience under your belt, I usually would not expect much contribution, but today you two seemed to be involved in almost every attack, fight for ground balls and even the odd defending. Like everyone, there is still room for improvement, but I think you two have really stepped up your game.
It was good to see Nathan in goal again despite having to be told at the last minute. I always forget how good he is between the sticks as well as in attack. For defense, today it seemed a bit of a struggle. I don't think we were as quiet as Dimi and Drysdale kept saying, but I do agree we were quiet too many times. I do hope we can improve because as we now have lost 'Captain Fresher' everyone needs to up their game.
One thing that I think people did not mention enough yesterday was how well we did having to cope with doing a four-man zone when defending. I have never had to be part of a four-man zone but we actually pulled it off and we kept us in the game, which I was very surprised.
Final mentions have to go to our other goalscorers. Another man-of-the-match performance by Marcus and one that was very well deserved. He ran rings around Oxford Brookes and they could not compete with his speed and stick protecting skills. I hope he keeps this up as it will be vital in future matches, including Varsity.
And, finally Shane Hall who once again put in a standard 'Rat' performance. Your passion is excellent and I believe everyone should take note of that and have the same. But there is a line and you just seem to step over it too many times and I am talking about your penalties. I did not realise until after the game off that he was close to being sent off again. I and a few others keep saying for you to watch the illegal checking and swearing but I think it is just an instinct thing and we cannot do anything to change that. So I think we may have to live with it.
Next up is East Anglia on Saturday. The reverse fixture was probably our best performance of the season in my opinion, I hope for something similar at the weekend guys. Let's make sure we can have a chance of promotion goin into our final league match.