And so the curtain falls not just for the end of the season but 6 years of football for the team, and what was hoped to be a rousing finale ended in anguish as our boys “took a helluva beating”.
We were poor but not 8 goals poor – we took a severe lesson in punishment verging on the sadomasochistic, as many of the goals conceded were gifted through elementary mistakes. The defence was also given a master class display on wing play and forward movement as the 2 key players for Rockingham demonstrated how you gain yards through anticipation and speed of thought – rarely will you come up against players of this quality.
The brightest moment of the game was the introduction of “plan Armageddon” and with only pride left to play for Liam Carter and Luke O’Dell were flung forward in search of an elusive goal and they nearly capitalised after Alex Palmer had struck the cross bar.
Well beaten is not how I wished to exit stage left. John Wayne did not turn up with the cavalry but then again John Wayne came from a different generation and epitomized an era when individuals had true grit and you had to work hard in adversity for anything you had – it may be worth this team popping down to the rental shop for some old cowboy films!
No goodbyes just “au revoir” as we ride off into the sunset. Sincere thanks to Neville and Dave for putting up with me and thanks for the all the support over the years.
