Chap Hit Sheffield for Six

With the weather finally beaten an early start on the Smurf Pitch of Hallam beckoned for the M3s. Availability had improved and there were returns for Gina G, Flavio, IceBurg and Tomahawk Bandit though Typhoo was out injured, Von Ryan was otherwise disposed and Bigfoot and RobA had returned to the 4s.
Following a heavy downpour the previous night the pitch was in an ideal condition for good quality hockey. The experienced Hallam side were used to the pitch and nearly caught the Chap defence offguard from the pushback but Boss Hogg was able to clear the danger. The warning woke Chap up and they began to have the better of the game. Hutch fired a pass into the D, the angle just evading the intelligent run along the backline of Tomahawk Bandit. Tomahawk Bandit had another chance moments later, his drag flicked effort crashing into the keepers neck protection before running clear. Chap maintained the pressure and the midfield of Chuckle#2, Fitbit and Texas created danger at every opportunity. A number of penalty corners were gained but poor feed out were hampering the chances. A short option was taken but Gigolo’s cross was deflected narrowly wide by Flavio.
Sheffield had danger men on the break and Gandalf was called into action, the Chap outfield players wincing at a ‘splits’ defying leg extension to save a shot bound just inside his right post.
It looked as though all Chap’s dominance was going to be fruitless until a goal finally arrived towards the end of the half. The ball was played into Tomahawk Bandit with his back to goal. His swift spin to shot bamboozled the defender and caught the keeper offguard as it fired in off the left hand post.
The second half saw the younger Chap players increase their dominance over the more experienced but slower opposition. It was however a more experienced Chap player who settled the nerves with the second goal. Texas, Iceburg and Gigolo combined well down the right channel before Hutch picked up the ball in the D, picked his spot to the keeper’s right and passed the ball into the net. The third came shortly after, Chuckle#2 combining well with Fitbit and Tomahawk Bandit down the left before a well hit cross reared up off a defenders stick. Waiting at the backpost was Iceburg who reached up and slapped the ball from above crossbar height underneath and into the empty net. With tails up it was time for a bit of a Hutch comedy moment. With a short corner once again fed in poorly, Chuckle#2 fed the ball right. Lined up for the perfect strike Hutch’s front foot stood on the ball causing it to spin off to the side line with such disguise Ronaldo would have been lauded for it.
Chap were however now in the groove and it didn’t take long for the fourth to be added. This one was all about the power and pace of Gigolo. Outmuscling his defender he accelerated away before dispatching a shot past the keeper at his near post. The fifth was created by Texas, recycling the ball back to Gina G. Gina G took control of the ball before playing a measured cross to Iceburg who swept the ball past a couple of defenders into the net. Gigolo added a sixth when finally a short corner worked to plan and he fired through the advancing defenders and unsighted keeper.
The defence of Boss Hogg, Gina G and Shep had played superb throughout so it was rough justice that they should concede with virtually the last hit of the game. An unfortunate penalty corner was conceded and the Hallam forward was able to beat an unsighted Gandalf for a consolation goal.
Over the after match bolognaise the MOM Starblazer voting was neck and neck until Gigolo narrowly beat Tomahawk Bandit. The DOD was a little more one sided with Hutch’s Rabona winning hands down, though Sheps after voting admission that he had forgot the Hotdog almost lead to a revote.