KEW Hockey Club

Kew Sopranos 4 def Greensborough 2

Goals: Ben Hartung 2, Richard Clancy 1, Pat Nicholls 1 

There is a saying that “Perfect Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.”  Well the Sopranos certainly proved the exception to the rule this week.  After a stellar performance by all and sundry at the Final Round Harp celebrations, we were all a little surprised to find out the next morning that we were even playing in the finals. 

There was some discussion of a training session, but nothing eventuated – why change the strategy that has worked for the last 3 years!  Ten minutes before the game we worked out our penalty corner variations – this must have worked as we converted 3 and had several more near misses.

Playing against Greensborough, our nemesis from last year’s grand final debacle, as well as the victor of our Round 17 clash, was always going to be a tough ask.  To play them on their home turf made the challenge even more difficult, but the mighty Sopranos were up to it. 

A brilliant string of passes saw Barney receive a ball on the top of the circle and slot it past the keeper to make it 1 – 0.  Complaints from the opposition, a long drawn out discussion between the two men in fluoro and a goal disallowed were the result after it was adjudicated that the shot had been made from outside the circle.  It did not look like it was going to be our day. 

A defensive penalty corner soon after resulted in a drag flick at the Chief’s head.  With Miagi like skill he swatted it down to make a brilliant save, only to have a Penalty Stroke called against him.  Again, a mid-pitch discussion ensued between the men in fluoro.  After much gnashing of teeth, debate about when rules had changed, general discussion about each other team’s parental heritage, the umpires’ final decision was to call a bully.  Luckily for us, only one of the mighty Sopranos was too young to know of such a thing.

From that point on the Sopranos moved into action.  Clancy revelled in the freedom of Right Half, Centre Half and Inside-Left, causing all sorts of headaches for the opposition.  The fiery red head wound back the clock and was showing everyone a clean pair of heels whilst still being at his niggling best – this week it was directed at the opposition, much to Dabba’s pleasure.

I guess we just wanted it more than those dolphins and with a half time lead of 1 – 0, it was not long into the second half that we converted a couple more penalty corners to put the game beyond doubt.

An excellent team performance and for the first time this year, we beat a side above us on the ladder – this is probably a prerequisite to have any chance of September glory.