Plymouth again

Bridie missed out on hall accommodation necessitating a trip to Plymouth to sort out a flat or similar somewhere close to the university. In the event, the trip was quick and easy with a cancellation meaning she has got a place in the halls of residence at St Teresa's which gave us time to pop in and see Chrissie but she was out! Never mind.

We'll be down again on Sept 16th when Bridie starts officially and I'll be staying overnight to travel to Torquay the following day for a 3 day residential as part of my Headteacher's course.

Joe and Rachel

Joe's been home for the summer and his girlfriend, Rachel, has stayed for the past week. I took them to Kingston Lacey House this afternoon where they had a romantic walk while I, having intended to do some marking sat in the meadows, fell asleep on a bench in the sunshine.

So near yet so far - Verwood relegated

In the end it was all my fault. Verwood have struggled all year in the cricket but just recently have run into some form and we went to Swan Green with some hope. It was a fantastic ground at Emery Down near Lyndhurst in the New Forest with thatched cottages over the road, trees in the outfield and a looking at its best in the heat and light of a late August afternoon.
We lost the toss and had to bowl on what looked to be a good pitch. Dan, the skipper, bowled beautifully and deservedly took 6 wickets but at the other end runs flowed more freely. Having been 73 for 6, the opposition made it to 145 before the next wicket fell to a slower ball which deceived the batsman. They eventually got to 184 all out from just 32 of their 42 overs which looked a big ask but we had a strong line up.
Runs from Charlie with 25 and Chris Mitchell with 39 could not disguise the frailty of the batting once again though. It was our strongest available team and once more, too many batsmen got out cheaply. We found ourselves on 120 for 8 as Dan and I steeled ourselves for what seemed to be the inevitable. However, we both batted patiently and took the total to 166 before Dan was bowled. There were still 19 runs to go and I hit a four to take that to 15. Chris, the last man in, edged a delivery past the keeper for 2 valuable runs.
In the gathering gloom it was very tense. The opening bowlers had come back for a spell but were both out of overs at this stage. The new bowler appeared nervous and I struck a six followed by a swept 4 leaving just 4 to win giving us the extra 12 points which could have saved us. The team above us lost, although we didn't know that at the time, and a four would have saved the season. For the first time in the innings I played a premeditated shot and was bowled with one shot needed!!
I could not believe it having played so well and then messed it up at such a crucial point. I ended up with 39 which had almost got us there.
Now the season's over I can dwell on that for the next 8 months!

Plymouth

Glen and I took a trip down to Plymouth last week to see the family thus missing what seems to have been an exciting game of football on Monday night with Iscape losing 5 - 3.
The pictures show Lewis sat on Lilly's buggy at Saltram where we played several playground type games along with a group photo with the Plym in the background.
The other photos are of Cawsand beach in Cornwall where we had a lovely day on a very quiet beach with a barbecue which went down very well. Whilst in Plymouth we went bowling which Roxanne won and I took Rochelle, Lewis and Glen to watch the Bourne Ultimatum. A very good film which I would recommend.

Sweet victory

The first thing is to mention Kev's throw ins as he felt not enough was made of them in the previous match report. They are an integral part of our armoury and perhaps I would have said the only weapon we had after last week but now we know differently because Iscape won.

The threat of rain was not enough to dampen our spirits afterwards as we sat basking in the glory of a win on the benches outside the Coach and Horses. Crowds of dancing girls lined the entrance to the pub and Sky had a direct feed to the studio as hangers on tried to bask in the reflected glory of a winning side, an unbeaten side, a side currently fourth in the table. Yet it started out, as so often, as a struggle until superior fitness played its part.

Hen Dom Kev Matt I Matt C Dave Iain and guest appearance John, the scary security surrounding Roman Abramovich as featured in the national press (national for Scotland anyway)

We hardly had a kick for the first 10 minutes and fell behind to a bobbling shot which caught Hen unsighted although he may have been disappointed by the shot spilling over the line. That was the sum total of the efforts from the opposition for a while apart from hitting the post twice with Hen wringing his hand which was trapped between post and ball as he saved a near post effort. We weren't doing a lot to be fair but they weren't that threatening either. Late in the first half things changed with my through ball battled for Matt C and then Kev before it broke to Dave who unleashed a piledriver past a sprawling keeper. That took Dave well clear in the leading goalscorer charts and he celebrated mightily raising his gloveless fists to the sky.

Disappointment came early in the second half though as a loose ball bounced harmlessly in the D heading away from goal. Hen went to claim it but rather hesitantly and allowed an attacker to get there first. He clumsily clashed with the forward and saw the ref pointing to the spot for a barely disputed penalty. It was despatched calmly and left us behind again.

Once more we strove forward and looked the more likely to strike. A throw from Hen was flicked on and Kev picked up the ball, taking it round the keeper but being forced wide to his left (unlike John who looks to have been forced wide in both directions - to be fair I was going to mention the big guy but the guest ought to get a look in to reflect the contribution he made to our win). Kev unleashed a fierce shot which nestled snugly in the net with just minutes remaining and the teams locked at two apiece. With the defence looking secure marshalled by Dom and Matt, and the midfield creating chances, it looked ours to win and so it proved as Kev battled again for a ball before falling to the ground just inside the D. As he yelled his well known and oft heard cry of pain that accompanies any physical contact and claimed a penalty, the ball fell to me and was thundered into the net to give us three goals in one game and seven for the season so far.

The whistle sounded soon after and a deserved win was acknowledged even by the opposition who had faded as our energy sapping tactics paid off again.

We have now achieved as much as the whole of last season and can look forward with optimism to next week in the goal fest that is Iscape.

Dave 1 (3) Kev 1 (1) Iain 1 (2) and Matt (1) from last week

Now if only Saints could play as well!!

Come on you Greens - Green Army

Studland to Old Harry

The photos are of a 6 mile walk we had last week, we being Robin and Joy, Jane, Joe and myself. Starting at the middle beach at Studland we made our way to Old Harry's rock and back across the steep ridge running between Poole Bay and Swanage.

Winners - two in a row

Verwood enjoyed the unexpected sensation of two wins on the spin at the weekend in glorious sunshine at Potterne Park. We were at home to Burley in a crunch game with both teams in the bottom 3. Having never won a game against them, we were not altogether confident but we were very determined as the season more or less depended on the result.

We chose to bat first and hit 154 having been 31 for 3 until Chris M and John D put on 93 albeit fairly slowly. It was difficult to tell how good a total it was as the pitch was not easy to bat on. The last 5 wickets fell for 15 as we threw the bat in the final 3 overs. I managed a splendid 2 before trying dislocate my shoulder in hitting the penultimate ball for 6, missing and being bowled.

Dan and I opened the bowling and it was just like old times. I took 2 for 28 in my 12 overs, Dan 4 for 26 in his 12. Despite having 5 (5!!!) catches dropped off me, the opening spells were enough o win us the match. Burley were eventually out for 88 making out 154 look very impressive. One more win will see us safe from relegation it appears and with two games to go and finding some form, perhaps we'll do it.

Glen is playing in a friendly for the first time on Wednesday against Witchampton. I'm looking forward to the game.

Holiday photos

There have a been a few days of sunshine mixed in with the rain meaning we've been to the beach a couple of times so far. Last Sunday, 5th August, was the best day and we all got pretty burnt. There were a couple of lads from school there too, one I taught last year and one from this year. Nice to be called 'sir' on the beach!!

I was foced to go for a very long walk on Thursday. Alison had a baby shower with several friends and family round meaning I took the dogs out for a walk. Almost four hours later we returned home with Maisie almost out on her feet. She isn't really designed for a 7 mile walk. I'm glad to say I got lost several times but at least I was without a map and feel less embarrassed about admitting that than last time when I had a map and still lost my way.

We're not bottom of the league!

One game into the new season in Wimborne and Iscape already have a point!!!! and 4 goals scored!!!!! I think it took us 20 games to do that last season which is only a slight exaggeration but it was a case of a point gained despite being pulled back twice in the second half.
The stalwarts of previous seasons returned after lat week's mass absence although Dougie skived off using Leanne's impending labour as an excuse. Good luck to you both - due today I think.

Hen Dom Matt I Matt C Kev Dave Iain

We started with a new formation, variation number 214 I believe, with Kev telling the various defenders to swap sides and make room for Matt C at the back. We looked solid enough but just couldn't create a thing in the first half despite Gary reffing for us. Inevitably we conceded and it looked like more of the same from last year, not many conceded but none scored. Indeed we were soon two down where the score remained at half time. I'm not sure we had a shot at goal let alone on target in a hugely disappointing opening period.

Using years of experience, Matt and I had a chat and decided to go down fighting, we needed to score even if we conceded more. I'm sad to say that meant me dropping back, ostensibly to midefield but I was soon in the centre of defence. Seeing this, Matt strode forward and took up a central midfield role which allowed him to fill the box as he stormed into the area time and again. I might have over stated that a little. The game turned on a long throw from Kev. I ran or moved, choose your own description, into the box and leapt to ram a firm header past the keeper. Gary almost did a lap of honour round the pitch for me he was so happy. Kev turned insitgator of the second shortly after as he battled in the midfield area for a loose ball. I played it forward to Matt who threaded the ball into the area for Dave to drive home.

That was not in the script at all and the opposition were in pieces. Their shock was clear to see as a mess up at the back presented Matt with a clear run on goal. Deciding to take it early though, Matt opened his body up (a bona fide football term not in the least medical) and smashed a right footed side of the foot blast just off the surface of the pitch and past a despairing keeper. Two down had become 3 - 2 in our favour - Gary even queried whether Coombsie was on drugs!!

Another turning point came with the award of free kick to them near the area. Gary made a mistake. Those are not words we want read or hear, nor did we ever expect to say that in our lifetimes but he did make a genuine error in pulling Matt C up for a tackle which was as clean as Dougie's email inbox. Actually that is probably a poor comparison but you know what I mean. Matt took the ball completely, made no contact with the player who had fallen over beacuse the ball was simply stopped by Matt but Gary gave a free kick. Moments later the game was level. However, more excitement was still to come.

Another throw in, the ball fell to Dave in the box who turned the defender, swivelled and shot between the keeper's legs which sounds quite rude but just describes his goal. We were ahead and had already scored more goals than the whole of last season virtually. Sadly, Hen chose this game to perform a blunder of some proportion quite out of keeping with the standard sets every week. He is seldom to blame for any of the goals, often left by himself by absent and ageing playmates but this was one time he let the ball slip. It trickled from a cross, through his hands and into the far corner. To be fair though he managed to save us a point with a stunning right handed save at full stretch right at the death. A point gained indeed.

What a happy gathering following the game there was at the Coach and Horses. Seldom has a team been so happy with a point but we are already unlikely to gain promotion.

Off the bottom

Verwood have won another game of cricket, the third win of the season, which has led them to the heady heights of thrid from bottom and with an outside chance of avoiding relegation. Quite a turnaround after last week's shocking effort. We were up at Godshill in the New Forset, a location I've often visited and fancied playing at and I got my chance on a very warm afternoon which started with a lengthy debate about whether to bat or bowl first. This is usually the cue for the captain losing the toss but today was different and Dan called correctly for a change. Despite our fragile batting he chose to bat and for once one of the batsmen made some runs.
We found ourselves 9 runs for 2 wickets very quickly as Nigel hit two boundaries and was then bowled comprehensively. Eric went first ball. In fact the second top score was 20 I think but we still managed to get to 176 all out as Charlie hit 93 and was desperately unlucky not to score his maiden hundred. I managed to get to the wicket but was left unbeaten on nought as wickets fell quickly at the other end.
Gerry made a great start to our effort in the field with three quick wickets, all bowled, and we were on top. A stand of 82 looked to have made Godshill favourites but Gerry returned and took a fourth wicket. Chris Mitchell and myself took 5 wickets, I finished on 2 for 30 off 9 overs, while Gerry took the final wicket to collect a five wicket haul.
It was then off to the Fighting Cocks where we were treated to a post match treat of sausage and chips. Doesn't normally happen at cricket after the game. They were a good bunch of lads and played in good spirit. Now we just need to find two more wins from the three remaining games.

Cup defeat but close

In the never ending cup competition, Iscape at least put up something of a fight as we lost 3 - 2 to Tradelink, one of the teams that finished above us, along with just about everyone else, during the league campaign. We were missing some of our best players as well as Matt, Dave and Dougie.

Hen Kev Iain Dom Matt I Pete Nick Bolts

It wasn't a great attacking display by any means although Kev strove manfully up front with little or no support as they attacked us pretty much incessantly for the first half with the opening goal coming when Dom misjudged a ball he ought to have competed for waited for the attacker to pick up and set up a colleague with Hen stranded 2 on 1. The game was played in a good spirit despite having the abysmal ref so beloved of Dougie.

An equalizer came with the start of the second half when we began playing the ball around a little and Kev released Bolts to slot under the keeper. I was getting a very different perspective playing from the back and quite enjoyed it. There is no word of a lie in this, I tackled two people who were steaming through! I must be almost in double figures for my 'career' now. Sadly we were exposed soon afterwards and conceded a sloppy second. That became three as a corner to the edge of the D was not closed down and Hen was unsighted as it flew into his arms low and hard before falling through his legs. Not as bad as it sounds from a keeper's view as it was well struck and he didn't have time to adjust his position.

In the final minutes we gave ourselves a glimmer of hope to go with the fading sunshine when Kev sent in a long throw which I flicked on and past a startled keeper. There was insufficient time to launch any other meaningful attack and we subsided to defeat and perhaps an exit from the cup. Who can tell such are the complications of the rules.

We look forward to the new season starting next week with the return of the three amigos.