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Hit the Bar Vs Riders of Rohan
Another season draws to the end and Hit The Bar find themselves again taking to the pitch with nothing much to play for. With 4th place guaranteed, 3rd place unlikely and the promotion slots of 1st and 2nd unreachable, it had been another disappointing season for HTB after a promising start. The opponents tonight were already-promoted Riders of Rohan. Hit The Bar's squad rotates faster than a fast rotate-y thing these days, and the line up saw Wes passing Nez on the way out of the treatment room, new boys James and Coxy returning for their second game, and regulars Squirrel, G-Man and Dancing also present. A steady start from both teams saw a couple of goals exchanged but with RoR finishing the stronger, 6-4 to the good. The start of the second kicked off the night's controversy, with HTB scoring straight from the restart but with the goal eventually disallowed by the ref as the ball was played forward from the centre. The rules apparently state that the ball must go backwards, unless it's a shot, with no mention of really bad shots that could actually be mistaken as passes. HTB continued to apply the pressure and soon had it back to 6-6, with a penalty helping matters. In-fighting had commenced amongst RoR and things were hotting up. heir keeper then somehow injured his finger and eventually persuaded a keeper change, after several more volleys of abuse had been exchanged. Meanwhile, HTB were playing football and pulled into a 7-6 lead, but then lapsed to trail 9-7. An ice hockey tackle on James by RoR really stirred things up, with lots of pushing, shoving and mouthing off the result, including the subs who also felt the need to join in. RoR's keeper was sent off (having come back on in an outfield role, something not recommended for someone of his ability) and it was 5 against 4 for the final 5 minutes. With RoR in disarray (with one player being told he would never be invited to play again, and probably also ruling himself out of being invited to next week's birthday party, which everyone else would be going to), HTB looked to capitalise. Eventually they got one back, but a break by RoR saw them sneak away with a 10-8 victory.
Player ratings
Squirrel - If there was a part of his body that he didn't use to save the ball tonight, then that would be a surprise. Did well tonight from a variety of angles but didn't get involved in the second half fracas because of the sheer distances involved. - 8
Coxy - Played in a sweeper role for most of the game and certainly isn't afraid to get stuck in. Used his stocky frame well and chipped in with a goal. Was at the forefront of the rough and tumble and was probably lucky not to be dismissed, but did pick up the MOUTHY MUTHAFUCKER award - 7
James - Battled all night long but at times his lack of pace seemed to let him down. However, he top-scored with 3 including a well taken penalty and also earns points for his threats to lock up the opposition (he's a copper you know). Was responsible for spicing the game up nicely and earns SURERANDOMALITY STARMAN - 8
Dancing - Enjoyed the freedom that came with Coxy playing at the back and got more and more involved as the game went on. Scored one, but needed to improve his shooting to get a top rating tonight. Some sterling leg-work to the car park and back earns him the rare SURERANDOMALITY BALLBOY award and he also becomes the 2nd player to break the 50 game barrier - 7
G-Man - Went about his business with reasonable aplomb tonight. Got a goal and was a general nuisance to the opposition all night long but did lose his man on occasion. Got reasonably invovled in the fisticuffs but was surprisingly not the instigator - 7
Wes - Back from injury, he took a fair while to get going. Unleashed a few of the piledrivers but was suffering with accuracy. Finished off two goals well but didn't get enough to snatch the golden boot. Should be back to his best next week - 7