Playing: CB, CG, JH, AW, TW

Boundary riders: TH, DC

Goals: JH2, CG1, TW1

MOM:JH

There are sometimes in sport, when competition takes on a life of its own and the protagonists are swept along on a trajectory all their own. So it was last night as a very special, tight five, Nanna outfit brushed aside an insipid opponent with little trouble. Almost from the first whistle a well defined Nanna shape developed, with as many as three brown men behind the ball at any one time, with the occasional surge as men in defence pushed upfield to take the game in new directions. Although there were hints of the usual Nanna game of over-excitement and a one-touch too many, there was also an overriding poise, or grace, to the Nannas, which effectively subdued the opposition and took them out of the game. It was if the Browns knew the opposition was not up to snuff if there was on display true Nanna respect. Indeed, a special Nannerian performance was afoot, and once the first goal went in this feeling only grew.

And what a goal it was. Gill, in the first minutes of play, took a range finder to the opposing goalie’s net, thinking, “yeah, better just loosen up the arm, get my bearings”. Well, the throw was on target and much to his team’s chagrin, Gill’s opposite number tried an ill-advised catch. The ball went straight through his fingers and the net shivered like a virgin, touched for the very first time. Like an idiot the blue keeper looked at the ref hoping some ancient, little known by-law of the world game might save him. But alas the ref pointed to the middle of the court and said, “try again boys”. One nil.

The second goal was somewhat more conventional but no less of a kick in the nuts to the opposition. After some highly competent defence and counter attacking, the Nans had a kick-in deep in enemy territory. Tao, sensing an opportunity was ripe, lay off a sensitive little pass with the outside of his foot. James, who was waiting for just such an opportunity, settled himself, cocked his favoured left boot and, concentrating on keeping the ball on the carpet, struck true. The shot didn’t do as he or Cocky, who was shouting instructions from the sideline, wished but did find the top right corner of the opposition’s goal. 2 zip. That’s the way it stayed until half time.

The third goal was a thing of pure beauty. The blues had a pussy shot at goal. Our goalie chested it down and ran – ran the lines like a fool, and almost made it to the opposition’s little circle. The soft blue goalie came out to stop me, but I feigned to the right and slipped a pass out to Tao (who was wearing a trench coat with a red carnation), who just walked it in. 3 zip.

The Nans, who went to the break in the ascendancy, rode their luck it’s true but chance is made by true grit and, last night, the inspirational sight of Chas, the fittest Nanna ever, in full flight, ducking and weaving passed opposition players. It has to be said that Christopher was also very unlucky not to have a couple by the end of the first stanza.

Although Tommy, with his leg newly wrapped in green anti-moisture material, delivered several pearls of wisdom at half time, the second half started with the opposition pegging a goal back, through a combination of Nanna confusion in D and a fortunate bounce of the ball off Gill. 3-1.
Mid way through the second stanza, the game was put beyond doubt as James ran into space and received a long throw from Gill. Taking it down on his chest, and again putting it into the path of his favoured left boot he tried a speculative shot to the opposite corner from where he was turning. Much to his surprise, and maybe with a slight deflection, it found that corner. 4-1.

After that, the game slowed considerably and the Nannas were seen frustrating their opponents. This is where the aforementioned Nannerian grace really came into its own. Andy Wong was the principle proponent of this tactic, wasting no time or energy on trivial matters or hectic schedules. With soothing words for his comrades and an unquenched love of running, he was what you would expect with five minutes to go and the game all but over: a picture of calm confidence inflicting the final blows on an already beaten opponent. Tao, following his lead, was seen congratulating the referee on several calls that went against him, while on the sly tripping up and grabbing at opponents, even though he was in every aspect playing far above any challenger he came up against. Gill, at this point, feigned not knowing where he was and tried to take the ball off the court, like the match was over. He was grabbed unceremoniously by some jerk in blue, who tried unsuccessfully to wrench the ball out of his hands. The opposition knew the jig was up, and although they huffed and puffed, they were never going to better a supreme Nanna outfit, full of Brown pride.
After, an impromptu captain was nominated and a bad speech given. However, the spoils of the coveted APISC second division were delivered to the deserving team.

Score 13-2
Goals: 5 for Tao, 3 for Captain, 2 for Cocky, 2 for Jim, 1 for chas
MOM: JH
Team: DC, TH, CB, RH, TW, TK, JH
Opposition: Allens FC

If the Nannas can exhibit the form they showed in the second half of their game against Allens FC last night-even if they played against only 4, most agree they will be serious title contenders come end of season.

The first half however, does pose some serious questions for the coach and upper Nanna management. The most notable problem the Nannas face being their lack of discipline toward each other. One player in the first half was seen constantly shouting at his team-mates only to get the shake of the head from Striker (a serious rebuke) and a smart dressing down from Deep Chasm. Although the CODE of the Nannas was introduced (only last week) to stamp out this unruly on court banter it seems some in the Brown outfit are still yet to learn the benefits of encouragement instead of negativity when playing team sports.

The first half saw a stuttering Nanna outfit coming to grips with hectares of space due to the opposition missing a player. Over the past months the Nannas have been tinkering with a new system, whereby their defence try to dominate possession, passing the ball around and waiting for an opening . At times in the first half this strategy worked but also, due to internal communication that can best be described as hostile, the Nanna shape broke down and the brown outfit became frustrated, mainly with themselves. Half time score 4-1, in favour of the Nannas.

Half time and the Captain said some words, which no one dared repeat later for fear of the his wrath. Whatever was said though worked, as the Nannas held their shape and the ball, pinging in nine goals and conceding only one. Although the opposition was broken within minutes of the returning to court in the second stanza, and most who watched from the sidelines agreed the contest was little more than a training run for the men in brown, the execution and willingness of the Nannas to hold the ball and make the opposition live off scraps was a sight to behold.

Special mention must go to striker for his tireless and unselfish work as a lone hand up front. Having bagged his quota for the night he was willing to station himself as far forward as possible giving time, space and options to those behind him.
Special mention also goes to Chasm for his admirable patience with men who are, prima facie, far beneath him.
Takeshi, the Nanna Japanese import, who has a freakishly low centre of gravity also deserves mention. At the beginning of the match Takeshi’s handling skills seemed a bit below his usual high standards. Realising he was having an off night, he was subsequently seen throwing his body in all manner of directions to compensate. His sliding on his knees to save low shots from the opposition was a particular feature.
Tao and Rhian also had solid games. The former showing his dexterity, put five past the opposing goalie, comfortable with either foot. The latter, well, he continues to go at the opposition and hit them where it really hurts although his trickery did at one point see him almost pulled from court. Late in the second period after a restart the Captain tried something that only he would attempt. The opposition took a speculative shot from halfway and Rhian stuck out a backheal and thought he had it covered. Well, it went through his legs faster than Paul Robinson could say, “oh shit”, and Kondo had no chance. The coach was heard to scream from the side line, “Get that fucking idiot off, get him off now!” but was pulled back by a concerned supporter.