Mens 1 vs Blueharts 2

For our first competitive outing of the season we faced Blueharts, local rivals who wear royal blue socks. Much debate ahead of the game about whether we should wear our usual navy blue or switch to white, I jokingly offered to bring along four pairs of Bath rugby socks, thinking the unfortunate Saracens supporting members of the squad might like to dress in the colours of the best rugby club in the country for once.... turned out Captain Dan thought I was being genuinely helpful (he's only known me three years) and when I turned up empty handed we had to play in navy. On kit details Mox needs some blue shorts, Weaver missed out on the fancy new shirts from last season, and big shout out to Adam Cole for going to George's parents house, collecting his hockey shoes and delivering to him in time for the game.

The game started brightly for your Harpenden heroes, Blueharts were just in awe of our toned physiques I reckon. We won a shorty but alas the Sonic Boom was vacationing in Ibiza I hear, somewhere else heard it was Cornwall - I know where I'd rather be (you can't get a decent pasty in Ibiza). Anyhoo without a drag flicking option we required something else. We opted for a George Hudson Thunderbolt, which resembles an agricultural hoik one used to see on grass pitches. Still, his golf swing is in fine fettle after a full summer and he drove that Thunderbolt into the bottom corner.

Blueharts 0 - 1 Harps

We were instructed to rotate frequently and keep the intensity high, as a good soldier I did. Sat down on the bench, had a little sip of water, wondered whether I could open the half time squashies 11minutes into the first half (so still in the first quarter but the second seventh). As I was pondering this Blueharts won a shorty, they scored it. Boo.

Blueharts 1 - 1 Harps (Blueharts 0 - 1 Harps when Reesy on the pitch)

It was rather galling to watch this goal go in. And I'm not hammering home the point that I was subbed off, I won't make that point too many times in this write up, but Blueharts appeared to be a very functional and well drilled side. They knew their formation and how to deploy the press, but up front there was not a lightning quick international quality player for us to deal with. Clearly our job was to prevent short corners being won against us.

What else happened in the first half? I panicked and chucked an aerial off the pitch. Andy King made a couple of saves. Our midfield of Singer, Skills, Danny and Rob certainly figured out the Blueharts formation and were bossing it towards the end of third-seventh, they noticed Blueharts didn't have a fantastically-awesome aerial threat to deploy so we could pen them in nicely.

At half time the debate about the press returned (which I thought had been working!). Something about do we stay 3 up front, if they promote do we follow, if we go to two they should be "offset" to encourage Blueharts to play down the side they haven't promoted on. Honestly, it's all very clear and obvious to me - I tend to stay quiet, nod, and see how many squashies I can take from the bag without being noticed.

If Danny had been able to see into the future, his half time team talk could have been "George stay high, someone (I think it was Rob Walker?) will fire the ball through the eye of a needle to you in 20yards of space with just the keeper to beat. As you approach the keeper majestically go to the left whilst flicking the ball right. Easily collect the ball after hurdling the diving keeper for a simple tap in and Robert is your father's brother."

Blueharts 1 - 2 Harps (Blueharts 0 - 2 Harps when Reesy on the pitch)

I was subbed off in the spirt of rotation. Someone made a horrendous stick tackle. Rob sees this and thinks, "that looks like fun", goes wood chopping himself and collects the team's first green card of the season. We defended valiantly with 10men on the pitch.

In the second we were playing toward a large advertising poster for Peckers (other fried chicken shops are available), I reckon this must have distracted our defence as Blueharts again went looking for a shorty. Andy stood tall in goal for the first save, unfortunately the rebound was collected by an attacker who fluffed it into the bottom corner.

Blueharts 2 - 2 Harps (Blueharts 0 - 2 Harps when Reesy was on the pitch)

It was a decent performance from the team, I haven't yet mentioned Todd, Danny, Nick K, Tom B and Weaver all who had great games. Mox and Charlie K were on the pitch too.

A draw at full time, in a game where we could have (should have?) got three points. Plenty of positives to take forward to next week.

MoM George for his brace. I did think Alex Weaver covered a lot of ground down the right flank in 40degree heat.

Champagne Moment George's second really was an exquisite finish, most of us were surprised!

DoD Ian Durbidge. Refused to substituted in the last 10minutes. Then at the fines table declared he "wanted Reesy to quickly pull me off".

Ones: Andy, Nick, Tom, Durbs, Weaver, Reesy, Rob, Singer, Skills, Danny, Todd, Charlie, Mox, George