Hampton Hoes Heave Ho Us

Reality Check in Hampton; 29 June 2013

The New Rooster

Seems like there’s an afternoon like this every season.

A reality check.

Wake-up call.

Lesson.

Call it what you will. Made sense, in some ways. Nadal out in first round at Wimbledon; Federer in second. So perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise that the Roosters (at the north end of the Bayside ladder) travelled to Hampton (south both in geography and on ladder)… and got thumped.

Like the Ukrainian who thumped Roger, this Hampton team played a lot better than their ranking – especially their first pair.

Meanwhile, the Roosters were missing a feather or two.

Yuri: limping.

Neale: limping and snuffling.

Nils: This is how I felt after the first match.

Paul serving a Full Monty right into the back of my head......

Okay Paul ...I get the message ..Yes sir!!!

"Stand wider, cover the tramlines. I'm going to serve one wide"....Paul.

Rooster's First Pair

Paul: in fine shape for Roosters’ debut. (So here’s to you, Mr Robinson. Thanks.)

Forrest: health, fine; mentally, perplexed. Wondering HOW IS IT POSSIBLE that when he have 11, 12 guys on the Roosters roster we have still had to go deep into the bench on consecutive Saturdays?

Rooster's Second Pair

As for the matches, well, not much to say really. Especially the two matches against Hampton No. 1.

Highlights?

Hmm. Let’s see.

Yuri and Forrest fought it out to 7-10 against Hampton No. 2s. Yuri getting Ukrainian Star of Courage for fronting up despite injury.

Neale and Paul went three games better, Paul even sealing the deal to clinch a 10-8 win and Roosters’ only point for the afternoon.

Gout foot

But, no argument here, absolute highlight was Paul sending a rocket-like first serve straight into the back of Neale’s head in their first match.

Many have thought about this before; Paul is the first to pull it off.

Curiously, Neale played better rather than worse after this rough treatment.

Thanks guys.

On we go.

Next Saturday, 6 July, at home v Glenhuntly.

Important match against old foes.

Team (hollow laughter):

Dennis. Ooops. No. Dennis out with injury.

So it is: Nosti, Mark, Brian and Forrest.

Please confirm.