Match Report
Match Report - 23 Jan 2010, Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 5 lost to Bournemouth 5
In the style of Jane Austen (thanks Mike)
No sooner had Winter lay aside its greatcoat of white and paraded in a jacket of astro green, then came the summons. Mabel Allright had been first to knock on the door, but Margaret Mays had no time for such a tittle tattle. It had been her own father's agitation and constant pacing that had told her the worst. For a Colonel, Philip Mays had soft hands but they trembled now as he read the slip of paper - Bournemouth away. Swarthy and hardened by the South coast winds the men of Bournemouth presented no tasty morsel, rather gristle that Cook threw to the dogs to gnaw and choke on.
Mays knew that Willoughby (an actual Austen character), Bryant and Marshall had been transferred to the fourth and third regiments respectively whilst young Will was marching with the Duke of Edinburgh.
Mays planned and re-planned and the day dawned. "Oh dear Maggie, my sweet,dear maggie, may I say how so like a daughter you are to me"
Margaret recalled the shock she had felt when her father had revealed he wasn't, and she had risen from the loins of another. But now on her first trip away, yes troubled reader, Margaret had been granted permission to go, She felt only love and concern for her troubled father.
The carriages made good time and Margaret's bosom heaved with pride as her father led his troops onto the field resplendent in their new livery of red, white and blue - except for one strange fellow at the back whose visage remained covered at all times. His language too was so profane that Margaret reddened. She had not heard such salty language since the crew of HMS Clipper had arrived unannounced to drink rum and play cards with her father.
His words could have scrapped clean the bottom of Mrs Higginbottoms soup bowl - and that had not been clean for twice ten years.
Yet he seemed impassioned and, if truth be told, Margaret's shortness of breath and damp palms were not all due to the easterly winds.
Margaret had heard many times of hockey matches but to watch one was like being in a kalidoscope of dazzling hues and cries. Unfortunately the prominent colour was yellow as Bournemouth struck 4 times to our one. They too seemed to take offence against our hidden friend hitting him time and again with the ball. He even bounced one off his head onto the bar.
Margaret felt herself go weak at the knees as she watched her fellows clash against the rock that was Bournemouth's back line and shudder as more of our young men succumbed to weariness or wound.
Alsop - shoulder, Elston Junior - toe, Buckley - knee, unknown warrior - most of body.
It was over.... nurses rushed with chilli and rice.
The carriage home was muted. Her father, still with fire of battle in his eyes muttering "Poole next week, Poole next week"
Her tear-brimmed eyes alighted on the slumbering form of young Davidson, being taken back to his mother's administration.
Awake young Davidson...Awake Aldershot and Farnham ........ Awake
Bournemouth 5 4 - 1 Aldershot and Farnham Hockey Club Mens 5