Casualties and a Collectors Item

It was like watching the Magnificent Seven - we were losing men on a regular basis. But the unbeaten run continues, and it was a happy team that assembled afterwards for tea and medals.
Cap'n Gary Perkins had assembled a strong team for the regular battle with the Real Madrid of local hockey - Olton. However, this team was whittled down by attrition from an early point. Max Levenger started on the right. He accelerated into second gear - and then stalled like an old Fiat Lupo. Man down! Olton attacked with real purpose and with all the sympathy of Dr Crippen with a patient. Several attacks were thwarted by the hard working midfield and defence before the first goal game. 1-0 to the local giants, and we were on the back foot. Back came the Mighty Sils and it was a flowing move that was slammed home by the evergreen Perkins. Strong men fainted in shock; others knelt in prayer. 1-1 and Olton were surprised. It was fortunate that the Olton 'cutting edge' HK was then injured and Olton reduced to 10. This was a help especially as others were starting to limp. Richard 'Right Said Fred' Thurman was auditioning for a BAFTA and was limping on alternate legs at a time. A second Sils goal was slammed in by Chakrabaty, and then Olton responded again. 2-2 and the game was as open as a counterfeit Nun in Las Vegas.
Half time - and it was a question of seeing who could stand. The redoubtable John Scott was putting in a great shift, and Christ was coping well with his epic man flu (2nd BAFTA of the evening - Ed). The limping Olton forward then returned and seemed to have overblown his ruptured Achilles from 15 minutes earlier. Olton then attacked in waves - at time it was like facing the Korean masses on the Imjin River in 1950. A third Olton goal seemed to signal Gotterdammerung for the aged Vets team - now down to 9.5 fit players. However, the impressive Simon Russell pushed forward and after a great move scored the equaliser. It was gripping and Tracy Perkins (pitch-side) and Max (in the bar) were impressed.
So its now 4 games unbeaten. An excellent meal was enjoyed in Tabby Italia, and it was an interesting vote for MoM. Si and Tambourine were tied with the irrepressible Dovey who won after being nominated by the oppo. It was then time for nonsense chat and an impressive display of red trousers.
A full team is needed next week for the Christmas game against Marvel's Avengers and Agents of Shield. This game is on pay per view and promises to be a lot of fun - that is of course if any of the Vets can still stand next week. We shall see.