So what do you do after winning a championship?

Have a feed, clean the car, mow the lawns and take the dogs for a walk!

These pics have a slightly reduced quality to normal as I am using the cell phone’s 3megapixel camera.

Winning

I blogged recently that there was not much difference between winning and losing. This weekend it proved true with our Third Division Hockey team competing in the competition final.

We were scheduled to play another team from our club – High School Hockey Club – but not just an ordinary team. It was a masters team which has a core of players who have played year in year out for 23 years!

We have played them 3 times this season – a thumping 6-1 win pre season, then two regular season games – a 2-1 win and a 5-4 win just a couple of weeks later. Our team was top qualifier but the masters team had scored more goals and conceded fewer goals.

Me – it was on the sideline again – but hey – that is the way it goes – I warmed up and gave the leg a couple of good sprints and declared myself fit – just need a few matches to get back into the groove. Better to work on getting fit than being a liability on the field.

The game began with our team going a goal up and controlling our possession very well. The masters team struck twice to take the lead and we were 1 down at half time. And then the reasons why I like this team became apparent. THe talk is positive, things to do, effort to put in, a laugh or two and no whinging! I was just wanting to get out onto the field – much better to play than watch.

We scored in the second half and it was 2-2 but they replied soon after to go ahead and we had about 20 minutes to reply. Try as the boys might the masters team defended well saving on the line, avoiding a possible stroke (in my eyes at least) and then breaking out to cause some constenation in this spectator’s mind.

And then the unbelievable – a magic piece of brilliance by our centre half for a goal and a draw – with ten seconds left on the clock!!

As it turned out this was crucial momentum gained by our team – The Postmen – and into strokes we went. We went 1 up as they missed their first, our second was in and then our keeper saved, 2-1, we score again and they are denied once more by our keeper – 3-1 and that was that! Victory and a championship.

Not much separating the teams and it was our day. I have loved this season – we lost one game – and that was a first for me – and just fun to turn up, play hockey and play amongst a group of skilled players.

Below are a couple of pictures from a regular season game. We are in Red!

How is Your World Cup Coming Along?

By the Mangaone Stream

It has been a long week with the RWC kicking off in NZ on Sept 9. The Radio Sport talk back callers are working themselves into a lather re the All Black team and who should or should not be playing. It makes me laugh – these coaches have been at it for so long now why not just leave it all alone.

Playing hockey again this year has reminded me just how hard it is to play consistently each week. Obviously I am not a professional and cannot draw accurate comparisons but I have competed enough over the years to know that you can only play as well as your team allows, the opposition causes difficulties and other factors such as time of game, weather, stress levels, skills sets, tactics etc.

During one game this year I decided that there really was very little difference between winning and losing. I mean it is really just an attitude. If you win – great – if you lose – well it is hardly the cause for disgrace or anxiety. It just means the other team won the game. Somebody has to.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that I glimpsed the other side of the coin – losing is not all that bad. You just lose the game. The other team won. OK shake hands, figure out what lessons you learn and that is it.

This year we have only lost one game and last night qualified for the final. I have not played for three weeks as I tore a calf muscle. Looking back it really hurt that first week and I could have rested a little more. On the mend now am pleased to report. Stretching the calf and continuing to rehabilitate it as best I can.

The calf muscle area has been very swollen and sore so I have decided to not even play a few minutes next week although I really really want to. I have never been is a team that has won so many games in a season. The best performance I reckon was one night when we had 9 v 11 and we, the 9 were without a goalie and we won by a couple. It was very enjoyable.

Enough of that – here are a few pictures of a walk with Mac and Ellie today and a short video!

Rangitane Park

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two buddies.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Spring

Spring is here and time to get blogging again.

I have been a bit quiet lately – last couple of weeks have been rather unusual inasmuch as I injured my calf muscle playing hockey. Just went to sprint and bam, a cramp like sensation in my right leg (I thought it was cramp at first) but after hobbling to the sideline realised I had hurt myself.

Two weeks on I am just about walking with a natural gait again and can get about without too much discomfort. Looking back that first week was pretty unreal – pain every step – swelling and then the bruising came out. It is still a little swollen but I am on the mend that is for sure.

I have not been able to walk Mac and Ellie and that has been really odd. Walking is a big part of my day. I did get out in the weekend though and wandered to the river and back to the car. It was a wonderful feeling to be in the outdoors again. I thoroughly recommend it for all patients!

I am unlikely to be able to play hockey again however and may have to settle for sideline support. The team has done well, heading for the semis and hopefully we all play our best. If we do then a championship is the very real possibility. Still like the All Blacks – there are no sure bets – one game at a time and all that.

Off to bed now and a little heat on that calf.