November 11, 2015
RICS 6 vs Retailers 4
Venue – Bank of England, Roehampton
Kick Off – 2pm
After a wet and windy morning, the clouds disappeared to shower the ground in sunshine. The teams got out on to the pitch to warm up, feeling the heat of their 100% nylon shirts. Due to several last minute drop outs, even costing RICS to lend Oli Shipstone to the retailers for the afternoon to even the teams to 10 a piece.
The game kicked off and the RICS were looking shaky with everyone not quite ready for the pace the game was going to be played at, luckily Stephenson and Holmes managed to steady the ship, but the retailers went for an ambitious shot which O’Connor managed to push it onto the bar.
The RICS then started to build with Brady and Hordern bossing the midfield and starting to use the wide channels, with Clark and Robinson really pressuring the right flank. This enabled the RICS to get onto the front foot which lead to Holmes threading through a cracking ball to Dymond who slotted it home for the RICS to take the lead.
The RICS had control of the next 20 minutes in which they had some moment of brilliance, special mention going to Holmes who was everywhere. Unfortunately against the run of play, a long ball from the retailer’s manage to find its way over the RICS defence and was picked up by their striker and slotted home. 1-1. Game on.
Couple minutes of play with RICS on top, flanking down the left and right, Dymond was holding the ball up very well at the top as well and putting some nice balls through for Horden/Brady to run on to. But after another attack down the right the RICS won a corner. Clark whipped it in and Dymond smashed it into the back of the net for his second. RICS were on top and the first half was nearly over, fitness was starting to waiver but after a few wise words of encouragement from the captain Brady the RICS managed to see the first half through and go in at the break ahead.
At half time the RICS got Beeton back from the retailers after one of their players finally turned up. Enabling him to go RM to link up with his old university friend Robinson. Whilst Clark was able to join Dymond up front in his more natural position.
The second half started better for the RICS with Davidson and Fahy really coming into the game. Beeton was linking well down the right with Clark who was now up front. Finally Clark opened his account for the day with a lovely finish. Shortly after he bagged his second fully justifying those flashy pink boots.
The retailers then gathered some momentum with the RICS tiring, with several breaks down the right with Fahy making some excellent tackles, and Stephenson showing why he was captain last year with his dominance in the air. But a lucky bounce the retailers broke through and Robinson ran across to stop the attacker from going through clean on goal. Out of nowhere as if there was a sniper in the crowd, the striker went down. To be fair for the theatricalness of the dive he deserved the pen, which was coolly converted. 4-2.
Dymond converted his hat-trick in true poacher style from a corner. Finding himself as always in the right place at the right time, it no wonder that the RICS boys liken him to Alan Shearer.
Clark was jealous of Dymond’s hat-trick and wanted in on the action, so Beeton held up the ball nicely passing it to Robinson who ran in field, then looked up and found Clark making a sublime run through the defence. Clark in turn rounded one more defender and slotted the ball home skimming the near post.
The Retailers then got two cheap goals to make it 6-4 to the RICS, the fitness of both teams was starting to show with people all wondering when Mr. Stevens was going to blow the whistle, after a few tense moments and several long shots going wide from the retailers it finally came and the game was ended.
Brady’s start to life as captain continues to go from strength to strength two wins from two.
Final Score – RICS 6 – 4 Retailers
I would like to make a special mention to our referee Douglas Stevens who as always did a sterling job.
