What happens on tour, stays on tour.
Cambrians... never quite figured out why they're called that.
This morning we pocketed our passports, kissed our loved-ones goodbye and ventured south, beyond the peri-peri Espetada Curtain into Turfontein to do battle on the restored mine-dump that is the Cambrians' grass track of doom. A bit dramatic? That's the Brixton Tower in the distance... need I say more!?
Playing on grass is a bit like going to The Church in London - you're never quite sure what's going to happen. If you haven't heard of The Church, the Wanderers M/E side wants YOU! This morning was no different - and we lost to a collection of Booysens' finest who's website is almost as established as ours. Should we have lost? No, of course not - but unfortunately (bringing us to the title of this post) the spectacular UK-touring form that sparked my career as a backup keeper was left somewhere in Cork and I let in 3. We scored 2 (one each to Frank and Mallers) but this just wasn't enough to save us from a loss that makes me feel more than a little bit dirty.
Let's face it though, hockey schmockey... as always we found a bar and that's where we redeemed ourselves. In keeping with our team motto, I have to mention that the Cambrians guys and their refs were very cool today and the game, other than the result, was great value. Hats off to them for turning it around from last season's debacle. At risk of sounding a little serious here gents, I hope we all at some stage quietly high-fived ourselves at how lucky we are to have the club we do. These guys have a setup that, while welcoming, isn't a scratch on what a fire and some well-considered insurance will do for you.
I digress... were there beers? Oh yes there were!
The Juan Juanandes 3-man Salvation Army who saved us from a 7-player tragedy (thanks guys - great form arriving as you did) under the guidance of the ever-suave, part-time FC Stoks, led a "charge" that FC Harps would've been proud of.
The local mutt in the background packed in for some 2nd hand Engen pies shortly after this shot; I would've taken a pic, but by this stage I was fighting the urge to add some Kung-Fu Kitchen to the mix. Sport - love it!
Other awards included Juan, who fought off Commie to win the MoM after an absolute blinder (although that hole in his stick is something worrying) and Mallers who stayed for his 1st fines meeting since the Beegees were cool and was duly rewarded with the "potty of the day".
The ultimate tiger (there were a few) went to a younger Miller, Rex - the king of Tiger-parking, seen here adapting to the rigors of a Joburg fines meeting. Good luck on the road-trip!
Frank (above), not to be left out, pulled out a spade that's clearly been in the shed for a bit long with a line thanking Tasmine, Tamara, Tabatha, Terence, Totally Awesome... whatever her name was, for coming to support. As someone, who shall remain nameless for the sake of avoiding a marital dispute, mentioned as soon as Tremendously Talanted... I can't remember, that belter who arrived with Mallers's missus, went to the lav: "I'd rather be on that than on the town council!".
Amen to that gentlemen, Amen!
We've got a bit of a break now to recover from the rigors of a season which, thus far, has been pretty successful. Skeg, this should give you more than enough time to rope in a couple of tadpoles!
To end what is a very long post, for Andy, Marco, AJ, Sneaky, Stip, Sir Dave and others in the UK and abroad - taken off my balcony at 5:20 pm. Those pesky Joburg winters! All the best guys, keep the banter flowing.
This morning we pocketed our passports, kissed our loved-ones goodbye and ventured south, beyond the peri-peri Espetada Curtain into Turfontein to do battle on the restored mine-dump that is the Cambrians' grass track of doom. A bit dramatic? That's the Brixton Tower in the distance... need I say more!?Playing on grass is a bit like going to The Church in London - you're never quite sure what's going to happen. If you haven't heard of The Church, the Wanderers M/E side wants YOU! This morning was no different - and we lost to a collection of Booysens' finest who's website is almost as established as ours. Should we have lost? No, of course not - but unfortunately (bringing us to the title of this post) the spectacular UK-touring form that sparked my career as a backup keeper was left somewhere in Cork and I let in 3. We scored 2 (one each to Frank and Mallers) but this just wasn't enough to save us from a loss that makes me feel more than a little bit dirty.
Let's face it though, hockey schmockey... as always we found a bar and that's where we redeemed ourselves. In keeping with our team motto, I have to mention that the Cambrians guys and their refs were very cool today and the game, other than the result, was great value. Hats off to them for turning it around from last season's debacle. At risk of sounding a little serious here gents, I hope we all at some stage quietly high-fived ourselves at how lucky we are to have the club we do. These guys have a setup that, while welcoming, isn't a scratch on what a fire and some well-considered insurance will do for you.
I digress... were there beers? Oh yes there were!The Juan Juanandes 3-man Salvation Army who saved us from a 7-player tragedy (thanks guys - great form arriving as you did) under the guidance of the ever-suave, part-time FC Stoks, led a "charge" that FC Harps would've been proud of.
The local mutt in the background packed in for some 2nd hand Engen pies shortly after this shot; I would've taken a pic, but by this stage I was fighting the urge to add some Kung-Fu Kitchen to the mix. Sport - love it!
Other awards included Juan, who fought off Commie to win the MoM after an absolute blinder (although that hole in his stick is something worrying) and Mallers who stayed for his 1st fines meeting since the Beegees were cool and was duly rewarded with the "potty of the day".
The ultimate tiger (there were a few) went to a younger Miller, Rex - the king of Tiger-parking, seen here adapting to the rigors of a Joburg fines meeting. Good luck on the road-trip!
Frank (above), not to be left out, pulled out a spade that's clearly been in the shed for a bit long with a line thanking Tasmine, Tamara, Tabatha, Terence, Totally Awesome... whatever her name was, for coming to support. As someone, who shall remain nameless for the sake of avoiding a marital dispute, mentioned as soon as Tremendously Talanted... I can't remember, that belter who arrived with Mallers's missus, went to the lav: "I'd rather be on that than on the town council!".Amen to that gentlemen, Amen!
We've got a bit of a break now to recover from the rigors of a season which, thus far, has been pretty successful. Skeg, this should give you more than enough time to rope in a couple of tadpoles!
To end what is a very long post, for Andy, Marco, AJ, Sneaky, Stip, Sir Dave and others in the UK and abroad - taken off my balcony at 5:20 pm. Those pesky Joburg winters! All the best guys, keep the banter flowing.
posted by JPOFSA at 3:20 pm
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