Away at St. Joseph's (Luton) today. The home side are undefeated in Division 2 of our league, and have a strong reputation as well. It was always likely to be tough.
On a bright but chilly morning, we found the ground at the 2nd attempt. There was some consternation as to whether we would have enough players, but with Sam, Josh and - finally - Luke showing up, we had 13 out of 15. Then, there was an unusual incident when Angus realised he had forgotten his shorts ! The referee came to the rescue by allowing him to play in his tracksuit. The fallback position was for his dad to put the scissors to work !
On to the match. I had expected a high scoring affair - Brickhill have scored 48 goals in 7 games and St. Joseph's are obviously a strong team. However, the effect was that the two teams somewhat cancelled each other out.
The Luton team had a large possession advantage it seemed - distinctly aided by their playing down the slope in the first half. It was clearly hard work for Brickhill to make progress but they defended staunchly and did create two clear-cut scoring chances - Elijah shot wide when clear on goal, and Luke's cross cut open the defence. However, it was St. Joseph's who finally broke the deadlock in injury time - a ricochet from a corner found the net.
Still, it seemed like with only a one goal deficit, and the advantage of the hill in the second half, that Brickhill could come back. Indeed, they pressed and pressed and made several chances - but the opposition defence was also solid and on at least one occasion the crossbar intervened.
With 20 minutes of the 2nd half gone, Brickhill unfortunately conceded a second goal and this always looked like deciding the match. In fact, St. Joseph's added a third with the last kick of the match.
The 3-0 defeat ends the run in the league cup, but the score flattered the winning side. Their coach commented that it was their hardest match all season.
Back to the league next week.
Sunday, 25 November 2007
Saturday, 24 November 2007
The Commons Touch
Friday night. Normally I would be at home, but on this particular Friday I had been invited to a charity dinner (a first time for me) as a guest of PWC.
The dinner was held at the House of Commons in aid of The Children's Trust. Before dinner, a tour of the buildings. We had an excellent guide - who managed to be informative and amusing, but not frivolous. The buildings and the history are quite incredible, really. A couple of things that struck me immediately were (i) how small the Commons' chamber is and (ii) how close the Commons' and Lords' chambers are to each other.
Nominally, we were all guests on the night of Sir Paul Beresford. He gave a witty introduction, and Suzanne Dando was the headline speaker, with a short speech also from someone who had been helped by the charity. Put together with a very acceptable 3-course meal, it was pretty good fun in fact, in fantastic surroundings. The event was concluded with - of course - a charity auction. I managed not to buy anything, but helped some of the furious bidding along.
A few of the people in the room looked a little familiar - as if I should know them. But I suspect they were, in fact, people that just looked a little familiar. However, right at the end of the dinner I discovered by accident that the person sitting next to me had, in fact, read maths at St. John's College - that's a considerable coincidence although admittedly being on a table of actuaries did narrow down the odds somewhat !
The dinner was held at the House of Commons in aid of The Children's Trust. Before dinner, a tour of the buildings. We had an excellent guide - who managed to be informative and amusing, but not frivolous. The buildings and the history are quite incredible, really. A couple of things that struck me immediately were (i) how small the Commons' chamber is and (ii) how close the Commons' and Lords' chambers are to each other.
Nominally, we were all guests on the night of Sir Paul Beresford. He gave a witty introduction, and Suzanne Dando was the headline speaker, with a short speech also from someone who had been helped by the charity. Put together with a very acceptable 3-course meal, it was pretty good fun in fact, in fantastic surroundings. The event was concluded with - of course - a charity auction. I managed not to buy anything, but helped some of the furious bidding along.
A few of the people in the room looked a little familiar - as if I should know them. But I suspect they were, in fact, people that just looked a little familiar. However, right at the end of the dinner I discovered by accident that the person sitting next to me had, in fact, read maths at St. John's College - that's a considerable coincidence although admittedly being on a table of actuaries did narrow down the odds somewhat !
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Justice is seen to be done
I haven't used this blog to talk about poker, and I will probably stick to that. However, in poker-related news, I took a day off work today to go to the Royal Courts of Justice to listen in on the appeal hearing for the famous "Gutshot case".
In fact, first I went to the Old Bailey. I had been given some wrong information about the address of the court. After some time, I figured out that I was in the wrong place and set off to find the correct court building by a system of generally wandering in what I felt was the right direction. By the time I arrived at court, I was 20mins late for the start.
Conveniently, the case had been re-timed for an hour later - I realised something was up pretty much as soon as I went into the designated court - it was readily apparent the case in hand had nothing to do with poker !
Well, when we got underway, it was a pretty interesting experience. The QC for the appeal took us right from Henry VIII through the 1800s and up to 1943 - all to explain what his point wasn't. Eventually we got up to the modern material - 1960 - and onto the main elements of the appeal. Pretty technical, it's fair to say, but only on points of law. Very little poker material per se. More about scrabble than poker, in fact.
In any case, the appeal was argued, and it'll be a few weeks before their Lordships return with an answer.
In fact, first I went to the Old Bailey. I had been given some wrong information about the address of the court. After some time, I figured out that I was in the wrong place and set off to find the correct court building by a system of generally wandering in what I felt was the right direction. By the time I arrived at court, I was 20mins late for the start.
Conveniently, the case had been re-timed for an hour later - I realised something was up pretty much as soon as I went into the designated court - it was readily apparent the case in hand had nothing to do with poker !
Well, when we got underway, it was a pretty interesting experience. The QC for the appeal took us right from Henry VIII through the 1800s and up to 1943 - all to explain what his point wasn't. Eventually we got up to the modern material - 1960 - and onto the main elements of the appeal. Pretty technical, it's fair to say, but only on points of law. Very little poker material per se. More about scrabble than poker, in fact.
In any case, the appeal was argued, and it'll be a few weeks before their Lordships return with an answer.
Sunday, 18 November 2007
Stot-fold
Back in real-time now !
Away to Stotfold juniors in the 2nd round (1st round we had a bye) of the County Cup. They play in a different league so we had no direct point of comparison. In their own division, they had played & won 4 games, and not conceded a goal at home.
However, they are playing in the 4th (and bottom) division of their league.
All in all, we fancied our chances.
We took the lead after 70seconds, through Luke. It wasn't all one-way traffic, but Luke added a second, and Dominic also scored. It was 3-0 at half-time and could have been much more if we'd been able to stay onside.
In the second half, Stotfold really fell away and Fred scored a hat-trick, with two for Elijah also.
8-0 to Brickhill. As often in these matches, it wasn't as though the other team were hopeless. We were just better organised, and made less mistakes. Their goalkeeper was actually very good, despite the scoreline.
A first clean sheet for Harry !
Next week we play St. Joseph's (Luton) in the league cup. They are in a division directly above us and doing OK, so we can expect a genuinely tough fixture there.
Away to Stotfold juniors in the 2nd round (1st round we had a bye) of the County Cup. They play in a different league so we had no direct point of comparison. In their own division, they had played & won 4 games, and not conceded a goal at home.
However, they are playing in the 4th (and bottom) division of their league.
All in all, we fancied our chances.
We took the lead after 70seconds, through Luke. It wasn't all one-way traffic, but Luke added a second, and Dominic also scored. It was 3-0 at half-time and could have been much more if we'd been able to stay onside.
In the second half, Stotfold really fell away and Fred scored a hat-trick, with two for Elijah also.
8-0 to Brickhill. As often in these matches, it wasn't as though the other team were hopeless. We were just better organised, and made less mistakes. Their goalkeeper was actually very good, despite the scoreline.
A first clean sheet for Harry !
Next week we play St. Joseph's (Luton) in the league cup. They are in a division directly above us and doing OK, so we can expect a genuinely tough fixture there.
Friday, 16 November 2007
Stadium Way
At the time this post was supposed to be written, England's prospects of qualifying for Euro 2008 looked bleak. By contrast, England U21 has played 4, Won 4 and conceded no goals in their quest for a Euro 2009 place.
Friday 16th November, and we set off (about 25 people from Harry's team + siblings and parents) to see England U21 vs. Bulgaria U21 at Stadium MK.
A good time was had by all - first there was the amusement of trying to locate the stadium on the satnav - it's too new to be on the map it turns out. We knew it was close to IKEA but TomTom thought the nearest IKEA was in Lille, France.....
Then there was the traditional abandoning the car on the dual carriageway when the traffic at KO minus 20mins slowed to less than walking pace.
Next there was the ritual trying to buy a burger during half-time. Harry and his friends actually attempted this several times before, during and after half-time. Apparently the catering at MK Dons is not really suited for 20,000+ attendance.
Harry's memory is probably of touching the match-ball when some wayward shot came to us 20-rows up.
It was a good match. England eventually came away 2-0 winners including a 2nd-half penalty won by lightning Theo Walcott, scored by James Milner and very poorly captured on mobile phone video by Harry.
We managed to find the car again, and a burger on the way. Success all round.
Friday 16th November, and we set off (about 25 people from Harry's team + siblings and parents) to see England U21 vs. Bulgaria U21 at Stadium MK.
A good time was had by all - first there was the amusement of trying to locate the stadium on the satnav - it's too new to be on the map it turns out. We knew it was close to IKEA but TomTom thought the nearest IKEA was in Lille, France.....
Then there was the traditional abandoning the car on the dual carriageway when the traffic at KO minus 20mins slowed to less than walking pace.
Next there was the ritual trying to buy a burger during half-time. Harry and his friends actually attempted this several times before, during and after half-time. Apparently the catering at MK Dons is not really suited for 20,000+ attendance.
Harry's memory is probably of touching the match-ball when some wayward shot came to us 20-rows up.
It was a good match. England eventually came away 2-0 winners including a 2nd-half penalty won by lightning Theo Walcott, scored by James Milner and very poorly captured on mobile phone video by Harry.
We managed to find the car again, and a burger on the way. Success all round.
Sunday, 11 November 2007
Four-Square
Remembrance Sunday. There is a minute's silence before kick-off, which is well respected.
This is a tough game. Away to league-leaders Ampthill who have a one-point advantage. The home supporters are even tougher than the opposition team. There is considerable touchline dissent as to the decisions of the line judges and the referee.
The match itself is close. Brickhill manage to take a 2-goal lead, but there is action at both ends and with a late goal chipped over Harry, Ampthill are only 4-3 down at half-time.
The second half is very edgy. Ampthill claim an equaliser with 10 minutes to go and then it becomes very tense. Clearly, if we can find a winner then we will reclaim the league top spot. However to lose, would open up a 4-point deficit.
Most of our supporters will settle for a draw, and will the referee to blow for time. Suddenly, Ampthill seem certain to score, but somehow we clear off the line. There is time for one more attack from the good guys, and it almost looks like a fairy-tale finish as Josh curls one from the edge of the box. However, it is a foot too high and a few moments later, the game does finish 4-4.
That keeps us clearly in contention - with the home fixture later in the season likely to be equally as crucial.
This is a tough game. Away to league-leaders Ampthill who have a one-point advantage. The home supporters are even tougher than the opposition team. There is considerable touchline dissent as to the decisions of the line judges and the referee.
The match itself is close. Brickhill manage to take a 2-goal lead, but there is action at both ends and with a late goal chipped over Harry, Ampthill are only 4-3 down at half-time.
The second half is very edgy. Ampthill claim an equaliser with 10 minutes to go and then it becomes very tense. Clearly, if we can find a winner then we will reclaim the league top spot. However to lose, would open up a 4-point deficit.
Most of our supporters will settle for a draw, and will the referee to blow for time. Suddenly, Ampthill seem certain to score, but somehow we clear off the line. There is time for one more attack from the good guys, and it almost looks like a fairy-tale finish as Josh curls one from the edge of the box. However, it is a foot too high and a few moments later, the game does finish 4-4.
That keeps us clearly in contention - with the home fixture later in the season likely to be equally as crucial.
Sunday, 4 November 2007
Blue perfection
OK. Back in the UK and it's Sunday, so football. Home to Houghton Regis. Pebble, our de facto mascot is also back. Another dog-owner (with a huge beast in tow) stops to admire Pebble and by listening in, we learn that our favourite small dog is known to the Kennel Club as "Blue Perfection".
Houghton are playing in blue, but although they get off to a 2-goal lead, it is eventually Brickhill who are closer to perfection. 6-3 the familiar scoreline. Although our six goals do include one own-goal and two penalties (apparently we have never managed to score a penalty before !)
Houghton are playing in blue, but although they get off to a 2-goal lead, it is eventually Brickhill who are closer to perfection. 6-3 the familiar scoreline. Although our six goals do include one own-goal and two penalties (apparently we have never managed to score a penalty before !)
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