Close to the edge*?

Our thanks today to Michaylo (Moneyball activator & Referee) Andy Capt (admirable stand in for Coach Davies) Bryan (fledgling referee) and Phil (Blog Correspondent) Any Club must be judged on how it can cope without some of its regular contributors - today you played a blinder!

With Coach Davies unavailable Andy Capt stepped up at the 11th hour (quite literally) and put the ensemble through his version of legalised torture Suitably warmed up Michaylo based his Moneyball nominations along familiar lines

The Teams were;

Green - Andy Capt, Colin, Les, Mark D, One More, Steve Honeyman, Dave Crusoe Robinson and Steve Goldie

With difficulty due to imbalance of Bib colours the other team were daubed the ‘multi-colours’

Multi-colours - Citeh Geoff, Jeff Betty, Tom, Phil, Nige, Tony, Wayne and making history today Anita (our first Ruskin lady player)

Congratulations to Michaylo for his shrewd selections from the Moneyball algorithm as, not for the first time, we had two very well matched sides During his stint as the man in the middle he refereed with a sensible laissez-faire manner, but his patience was sorely tested with some needlessly reckless challenges

Is it time to enforce a stricter observation of WFA Rules? Could we have some views in the comments beneath this Blog please?

The game was a very even affair with both defences well on top Andy Capt and Citeh Geoff marshalled their respective sides to great effect Anita showed some neat touches on her debut Nigel put in his usual whole hearted display Tom, Les, Colin and Phil were energetic as ever Mentions in dispatches must go to Mark, Steve Honeyman, Tony and Wayne

But it’s goals that count and in the end a solitary strike from Jeff Betty proved decisive His shot into the corner of the net, leaving the keeper helplessly grasping at thin air

A reminder that next Mondays game will mark the Anniversary of our first outing at Ruskin Drive Take a tip and save one of the little black rubber ball bearings to ensure you are there! We hope to see as many as possible down to play and then enjoy the rare chance to meet all members for a beverage at the Turks Head Cooper Street This hostelry is rapidly becoming the go to place for AGMs and the fabled Wednesday evening Boot Room discussions As mentioned in our last Blog we are in discussions with mine host about some new Club crested Bibs Lets have your thoughts about the safety of all players and the creeping recklessness that we’ve seen too often recently

Close to the edge* Yes (progressive beat combo from the 70s for those puzzled by the song reference- if you was a student then you’d get it or not!)