Bowdon Killer Bee's 3 - 1 Runcorn

A second win. A 100% record! Undefeated! The Daddies! Top of the league (if there was one). Hmmm... time to quit while the Bees are ahead, surely? Alas, the fixtures secretary won't let us, so let's consider Saturday's performance.

Things started ominously with a flurry of phone calls on Saturday morning requesting (OK, stealing) players; two for The Judge, one for Big Fishers. After some traditional bartering we were promised some sixth team players in return (secondhand though), and things were looking a bit more promising - we'd be fielding some ringers! Huzzah!

The starting lineup saw a welcome re-appearance by Geordie pad-meister Phil Holder (part of the bartering!), born again student Little Fish and surprise guesting by unknown quantity Aussie centre-half Nathan. Runcorn were also in fine spirits, getting a couple of cheeky ones in at the bar before the game, so it only seemed sensible to pre-order some halftime drinks...

The pitch was in good nick, the sun was out and the game started with some considerable gusto from both sides. Runcorn are a good grass side and have played together in the same team for donkeys, so are always a real challenge for the Bees. Sporting a changed lineup from the previous week's victory, it was going to be interesting to see if the Bees could maintain the same standard of hockey . With Pritchard bedding in at right half, and Nathan distributing the ball well from the midfield, the Bees went on the offensive and pressured Runcorn into a formation consisting mainly of eight defenders! A good work rate from the attack and halves resulted in a deserved goal from Yokker. The few probing long-ball attacks from Runcorn were dealt with with savage efficiency by the Bees defence of Banber and Braithers, and left the oppo a trifle forelorn.

At half time the beer arrived, and was duely ferried over to the oppo for their delectation. They were soon... pouring it all over the grass?!? Yes indeed, once again Robbies fails to get the thumbs up! Only the chosen few know its secret hockey-giving powers (how else can you explain the rise and rise of Bowdon HC, eh?). In fact, Runcorn went as far as accusing us of trying to poison them, which was a bit harsh (but fai... oh never mind)! Us? We had the lager...

The second half started well (despite the beer) with both teams stepping up a notch. The Bees registered their second goal on the scoresheet with a solid strike from right winger (er, not in the 'Sieg Heil' sense, obviously) Big Fish, when a swiftly taken hit left their goalkeeper somewhere he shouldn't have been... We then saw a predictable resurgence from Runcorn and five minutes of pressure, coinciding with the traditional slowdown in Bees running, resulted in a goal for the oppo . A few minutes later a nicely constructed attack down the left wing spawned the third and final goal from Giles, abley supported by Stickie. After that the match slipped into the final period, with both teams showing signs of tiredness (OK, it was just us , but as Runcorn are twice our age I feel I should include them).

So a respectable showing from the Bees, though perhaps not quite up to the previous week's game. If we keep this up all season...

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I'll be ing amazed!