University Beavers vs Upper Hutt City Marauders (Match Report)

Final Result : University Beavers 1: Upper Hutt Marauders 1

Player of the Day : Tanus Falconer

The lack of mental preparation may have been a factor in the end result of this match. The Beavers woke up on Saturday morning expecting a cancellation. Hearing nothing, they made their way to the group in usual fashion with one exception- Mad Dog had to be picked up out of not wanting to risk taking his wiperless car in the rain.

Battery and Sammy still looking and talking drunk from a night on the Whiskeys, Clarky had forgotten his Beaver shorts and Shaggy was as white as a ghost. No-doz.

The Marauders looked like the tossers that they are- was anyone expecting anything less?

The first half progressed like any other Capital 10 battle of the titans. With 65% of possession running towards the Porirua end at Nairnville, the Beavers were unable to open their account. The defensive line was sound and a nil all scoreline was only reflective of missed opportunities.

The second half began at a level of high intensity and it was clear a goal was coming.

An attacking corner saw Mark McLeod send in a ball to the penalty spot. The ball flew past the big thumb head of a hungry defender and boggled around. It popped clear to Falconer who moved it shamelessly from an open left foot to his favoured right boot. 'PULL THE TRIGGER' someone yells. And that he did. Only a deflection from Mannfred slowed its path. Good deflection however as it trickled into the bottom left net.

51st Minute, Luke Manfred (Tayne Falconer) …….1-0 BEAVERS

The word needed to go out to not rest on this lead and to make sure the intensity remained the same. But, as often happens with the Beavers, a equaliser was to follow. From the kickoff the Ratty Marauders pushed forward as if the Piped Piper was playing in Mad Dog's goal. Pushed out to the right they appeared to be shut down- but with only a very acute angle to work with, one of the two resident skin heads put one into the back of the net. Granted, it was a well placed shot.

52nd Minute, Tayne's headbutt mate…….. 1-1 MARAUDERS

And that was the way it remained. The chances came for the Beavers in the back end of this half but were not taken.

The points shared. A number of good things to come from the match for the Beavers. They continue to dominate and it is always a sign of dominance when teams above you on the table are happy to settle for a draw with 30 to play. The game threatened to get scrappy at times- maybe out their in the return leg fists will come out. The Beavers will be disappointed they couldn't capture the full 3 points, but a draw is better than nothing.

It is a painful process when the editor can copy and paste in the score from the week before, when that too was a disappointing 1 all draw. But it is no good worrying about what has been and gone- the Beavers have the success of their season at their own feet. The time has come to start getting full points from the scrappy matches they dominate so much.

Roving and raiding, in search of plunder.

Reporter: Barrett