Finals Shchminals/ Trophy Night Thurs April 11
Match Report: Prelim Final, Roosters v Mornington
at Dendy Park;
Swinging In The Rain
for peace of mind on the road.
Well, let’s just say the Six Day War took less time to complete.
By now, you know the result. Bruce McAvaney is still banging on about it, and shots of Forrest falling ingloriously on his Khyber Pass on a sopping court have been on high-repeat on ‘Funniest Home Videos’.
Over TWO Saturdays, Roosters fell just short against a solid Mornington foursome: one rubber to three; three sets to six; 36 games to 44. Or thereabouts.
So another season ends up with Roosters advancing well into the finals but NOT winning Nick Caviar that one team pennant he lacks in a bulging cabinet.
But there were many highlights:
Both combinations, Nick and Dennis RA (for Roadside Assist) and Nosti and Forrest leapt out of the blocks on the first Saturday. But then Dennis called RACV for help straightening his cap and momentum stalled on
Ah yes, the rain. Changed everything.
When matches resumed after a lengthy delay, N and D RA went down while Nosti and F had lost their zip. Play continued into a tiebreak as rain came down, all players just wanting to get the set and/or match done. Until Forrest took his fall, that is, and all decided that to play on in such greasy conditions would be lunacy.
So. To Saturday Mk II, when we should have either have been playing a Granny or putting the feet up.
Off to a great start when Nick rang in, reporting a flat tyre. He now answers to ‘Brian’.
The real Brian, meanwhile, showed impressive commitment by turning up on BOTH Saturdays. Thanks, pal. Especially for sitting next to Mrs Forrest and not bagging her Old Man TOO much. Nils also gets a prize for showing up: AFTER IT WAS ALL OVER. Still, it was the thought that counts. We guess.
And here’s a thought: WHERE WAS BALICKI?
The courtside seat labelled ‘Ex-Captain’ remained empty.
Thanks to all Albert Parkers who were there. You know who you are. Your support was much appreciated. Long-distance thanks to Deano and Debbie, faithful fans and sender of motivational texts. Deano, we could have used your left arm in the clinches.
As for the last matches, Nosti and Forrest obligingly dropped that second-set tiebreak to give Nick more time to show up. Then dropped the third, though not without some fight. Roosters by now were up against it. Morning Glory’s first pair again proved too strong; Nick and D RA brought the Roosters’ crowd to their collective feet with a straight-sets win to end the season. But, by then, the damage was done.
Close, but no bloody cigar. Again.
BUT it could have been different:
If N and D RA had kept going as they started. Same, but more so, for Nosti and F. That first rain break came at the worst time for them. Though Nosti’s serve got better and better as the final wore on. Great stuff.
Nick points out that if Mt Martha and Mornington had not been shunted into ‘Bayside’, we would have won. Which is like saying if Brigitte Bardot had just answered that phonecall all those years ago, well, things could have looked up.
So that’s it. Especially for Captain Yuri.
His contribution has been extraordinary. Back to back to back to back (or whatever) finals. But NO PENNANT. So Simon Crean has tapped him on the shoulder.
 |
| psst...that's one of them on the left |
Roll on winter.
Captaincy: VACANT.
Requirements: Membership of RACV compulsory.
Requirements: Membership of RACV compulsory.
Ability to speak Greek: very damn useful.
Provision of something more imaginative than Boston Bun at home games: optional.
That’s all folks.
Again, salutations to the now-ex-skipper.
Who is now doing an ad for Peter Jackson cigarettes and/or becoming a hobbit.
Something like that, anyway. It’s been a very long season.
TROPHY NIGHT
As we had 6 roosters, the president and 3 committee members there on Saturday it was decided trophy night will be held after a hit up from 6pm
THURSDAY 11th April at Bacilica @ 8pm
Comments
Post a Comment