Match Report 2004 & any spelling mistakes by WO2 Ian Pomeroy
Globes 1 Laurels 1 ( Laurels win on penalties)
A gloomy Wednesday afternoon in July at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines could not dampen the spirits of the many veterans who travelled from far and wide to attend the 2004 Tunney cup veterans match. This years fixture was particularly poignant as it was the 10th annivarsary of Marine Lee Stephensons sudden and tragic death, and the RMFA were delighted to have Lee's mum Maureen and her partner as guests of honour for the day.
To add a little extra spice to the fixture, it was decided that a trophy would be competed for. So on Wednesday 7th July 2004, The Globes and the Laurels commenced battle for the Marine Troy Robson Memorial Trophy. With team captains, George (How's ya washboard) Kent, and Sammy (Any takers for some Sammy Spall tracksuits) Boyiadjis conducting the mandatory pre-match phot session, the scene was set for this gladiatorial battle to begin.
The Laurels were first to show with a superb step over from George Kent opening the way for Fraser Quirke (RN) to blast over (no change there then) from close range. The Globes retaliated immediatley but Si Taylor could not convert from 2 yards out. The steady drizzle made for ideal sliding tackles & unfortunately Si Taylor was on the end of one from Tony "the hatchet" Blandon, which meant the end to Si's match. Sammy Boyiadjis fired a sitter so far over the bar from 6 yards out that the ball ended up in the Nutwell pub car park. Probably the only time Sammy has got something "round in" a pub ever. Not to be outdone, Laurels skipper George Kent blasted over at the other end with his ball ending up in the George & Dragon pub car park. Merve 'the swerve' Shepherd was next to feel the effects of old age when he was substituted for Shiner Wright who subsequently put the Laurels in front with a sweet strike just before half time. With the match tilted in the Laurels favour, match referee Tony Goodyear ably assisted by his assistants Dave Stephens & Darby Allen called a halt to procedings with a 1-0 half time score line.
The Laurels seemed to handle the half time Mulled wine slightly better and came out firing on all cylinders. Both cats in the shape of Bob Fardoe & Dondo Pearson were in superb form pulling off a string Vest of fine saves each. The Laurels synchronised swimming team of Steve Marr, George Kent & Brum Daly seemed to be coping with the wet conditions better than most & produced a move of sheer genius only for George to end up shooting wide and giving away a throwing.
Not to be outdone the Globes grecian 2000 crew of Tiv Lowe, Ceri Lewis & Phil Shuttleworth combined superbly to set up the equaliser for Andy (Arry) (Do i have to take my fighting order off ?) Holding, who crashed an unstopable drive into the top corner.
In his delight Arry set off for a celebratory lap of the pitch, but then thought better of it, so peeled off his shirt instead. Arry was duly booked by the ref for showing his kidney pouches & poncho roll.
With the match delicatley poised another quality move involving the PT Staff room boys of Russ Wilson, Angus Hepburn & Ricky Miller ended with Colin Thomas tripping over his size 2 feet, to the delight of the crowd. As the game entered injury time the Laurels produced the move of the match with BJ 'yosimite sam' Farrimond, Kev Cheeseman, Nelly Frame & Sharky Ward all involved, only to be denied by a superb last ditch tackle by Globes Dave 'pacemaker' Robertson, which prevented what would have been the winner.
A penalty shoot out followed with notable misses from Steve 'lean back' Marr & Russ lean even further back' Wilson. It was almost dark before the Laurels stroked home the winning penalty to the delight of the many spectators including Paul 'cod head' Dixon, Mal 'the brother' Fairbrother, Bungy '1 3/4 Tonne Trl' Williams & Steve Johnson.
Post match speeches were conducted & George Kent received the inaugral Troy Robson Memorial Trophy from honoured guest speaker Sgt Tom Smith. Maureen Stephenson presented the 2003/4 Corps player of the year award to Capt Tel Price, which was richly deserved & applauded. After a BBQ in now hurricane conditions which saw an entire 24x24 tent picked up by the wind & deposited on the hockey pitch car park ( well done Magsy for the lack of tent pegs), the third half of the entertainment moved to the Moody Brook bar in the Sergeants Mess. After copious amounts of ale & port (that was just Mal 'not so fair'Fairbrother) the inevitable run ashore to Exmouth ensued with many a story to be told the following morning.
See you all again next year folks for more fun and frolics with the RMFA Vets.
