Who wants to be Goalkeeper next year?

You'll need to be quick. This quick!

Fantasy Rushed wrapup

Sorry its a poor effort Stallions, the Fantasy wrapup never finished, and now I'm scrambling to get ready for a European-league away game. This of course is the trouble when trying do something that covers every player in our extensive squad. So, hows about this, I will provide the raw data, and if anyone cares, they can suggest a fantasy alike and just generally take the piss.

The If Onlys:
Players who didn't end up playing as many games as they would have liked this season. Perhaps if they did we might have won the league - both have remarkably high points per game.

Tristin:
Place: 7
Goals: 4
Assists: 2
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 43
Points Per Game: 5.73
Fantasy Alike:??

Logan:
Place: 11
Goals: 2
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 35
Points Per Game: 5.8
Fantasy Alike:??

And that just leaves the poor defence. Least goals conceded in the entire league but still all the bottom of the Fantasy pile. So they too can be considered 'if onlys' - as in if only the fantasy system wasn't so biased against defenders, or if only they were still good enough to get points like Corey!

Tangihaere
Place: 10th
Goals: 1
Assists: -
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 39
Points Per Game: 2.78
Fantasy Alike:??

Paul:
Place: 13th
Goals:-
Assists:- (hey, Joe Hart got one last week)
Bonus Points: 3
Total Points: 33
Points Per Game: 2.53
Fantasy Alike:??

Jason:
Place: 14th
Goals:-
Assists:-
Bonus Points: 1
Total Points: 23
Points Per Game: 1.76
Fantasy Alike:??

Joe:
Place: 15th
Goals:-
Assists:-
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 22
Points Per Game: 1.74
Fantasy Alike:??

Mike:
Place: 17th (yep, that would be last)
Goals:-
Assists:-
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 16
Points Per Game:1.77
Fantasy Alike:??

Think thats all ...

Rare footage of Corey's goal finally uncovered

Fantasy Wrapup 4: the differentials

At the end of every fantasy season, the crap selectors (ie Rauru, Corey, Jason, Nick G, Logan) need to make up quick points on the league leaders and hunt for differentials - that player who has stayed under the radar but have a chance, just a small chance, to pull a big score and upset the table. This hardly ever works, and is a desperate move. But once in a while it works. But it needs a very special type of player:

Spencer
Place: 12th
Goals: 2
Assists: -
Bonus Points: 2
Total Points: 35
Points Per Game: 2.91
Fantasy Alike: Ji Sung Park (blame Jason)

Cometh the moment cometh the man, and indeed Jason, Ji Sung Park is exactly the type of player you look to when looking for that differential - but there is no way he could match Spencer's impact on that final game of the season - enough has been said about that match winning, volley scoring, chump taunting performance ('Let me mark that guy, I was all over him last time.') If you are only as good as your last performance, Spencer was Stallion of the year. He came a long way from here - the saddest footballing photograph ever. A lot to live up next season.
Oh yeah, the photo above reminded me of the last time Spencer played against Lower Hutt when he couldn't stay on his feet at all.

Nick
Place: 16th
Goals: -
Assists: -
Bonus Points: -
Total Points: 22
Points Per Game: 2
Fantasy Alike: Darren Fletcher

Now here was a differential maker. If I was betting on someone turning around a remarkably undeserved minor fantasy season with a big haul in the final game it would have been Nick. Head to head with Spencer going into the final game, Nick did it his way by not showing up. Where those who bet on Spence scored big, those who backed Nick were left to plan for next season.

 Another player often stuck doing the hard work which goes unrewarded in fantasy terms, Nick had a characteristically busy season charging up and down the sidelines, chasing and tackling like a demon. Now thats not to say he didn't have chances - a couple of glaring misses this season - including the last shot in the game vs Nth Wgtn to give us a win! Besides, when the rest of us took days to recover after a match, Nick often took off to diving, where of course he practiced his goal celebrations. We will have to wait until next season to see this again:

Next: The If Onlys ...

Fantasy Wrapup 3: The Quiet Achievers

Oddly, some of the bigger mouths in the Stallions.

Aaron
Place: 6th
Goals: 1
Assists: 4
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 50
Points Per Game: 3.84
Fantasy Alike: Alexander Dimitri Song Billong: Both players simply get more fantasy points than their supposedly invisible defensive midfield position allows. In fairness both are probably a little more umm box to box than ideally they should be, but playing behind an attacking line supposedly full of talent but always light on goals does this to the sturdiest of men. 2nd most assists, a good haul of bonus points, not to mention an undisputed wundergoal for the ages - but the season may be most remembered for a pitiful dive in the box which should be -500 fantasy points. Is that a turtle I see?

Corey
Place: 8th
Goals: 1
Assists: 0
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 41
Points Per Game: 4.1
Fantasy alike: Leighton Baines


Both define the modern 'roaming left back role'. In fact Corey's roaming is what saved his fantasy season, as he managed to escape the controversial defender drought. In fact the efforts of last year's Stallion of the season highlight the issues of the system. He started in blistering form, scoring in the first game counted for Fantasy football (albeit the clear 'winner' in the worst goal of the season award), and with bonus points and a clean sheet racked up 14 points, showing how well the system works for defenders if clean sheets can be made. Sadly that was  the last clean sheet of the season, and poor Corey didn't score anything too noteworthy again until the final game when he showed Paul a thing or two, saving a pen on the way to racking up 13 points in goal. If only our blind skipper would finally play him upfront, unlimited fantasy potential.

Graham
Place: 10th
Goals: 1
Assists: 2
Bonus Points: 4
Total Points: 39
Points Per Game: 3.56
Fantasy alike: Gareth Bale

Talking about Managerial decision making, Harry Redknapp's decision to take Bale from left back to left mid brought bucketloads of fantasy points for smart managers (well, me really). Rauru saw similar potential in Gmann, who rose to the occasion and finished the season really strongly in an advanced role (probably much to the chagrin of Corey!). A turning point was a blat up front at Te Whaea which while it contained that miss, also set him for future opportunities. The 3 point bonus haul vs Elite was the standout, where G had probably earned those points from the back in the first half, then went up in and terrorised in the second. Look, they both wear stupid fluro boots too.


Next: The Differentials

End of Year Fantasy 2: The Showponies

Panda
Place: 4th
Goals: 5
Assists: 0
Bonus Points: 8
Total Points: 56
Points Per Game: 5.09
Fantasy Alike: Have said it earlier, but it must be Malouda: both came on strong with lots of goals early on, incredible season, huge smiles, love the game, team and fan favourite. And theres also a bit of the mysteriousness of the French team about the elusive Panda: no-showing the final game of the season - the points from which would have put him in the top 3 (perhaps there was some player-manager behind the scenes shenanigans kept out of the press), showing up late, sometimes with a case of beers. He even developed a trademark goal - curled in from the right hand side of the box, and of course that celebration - running behind the goal pointing at the ball in the back of the net. Great season - fully deserving of the Stallion of the season award - and no doubt IF he was at the prizegiving last night he would have won the boatrace of all the players of the season. I sure wouldn't bet against him, in anything really ...

Picked this Malouda photograph due to its similarity to this one. Which brings us to the next showpony

 Robin
Place: 5th
Goals: 3
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 6
Total Points: 52
Points Per Game: 4
Fantasy Alike: Theo Walcott (or Andre the Giant).  The wildcard, enigmatic talent - pacy, capable of freakily good things, but a feast of famine type of Fantasy prospect. Robin's season fantasy consisted almost exclusively of 2 point showings punctuated by a few big hauls with goals and bonus point galore.  A really good season - especially in the final part when we played with 3 up front, offering a wide role Robin made his own. The lack of defensive work brought by this position really helped Robin's fantasy points - the one game he was forced back to help out, he drew a penalty. So yep, stay up front.  Like Walcott, Robin scored some great goals, but had some shocking misses and wayward passes - didn't a coach of Walcotts once say that he is great until he starts having too much time and has to think about it. Now I'm not saying you are a stupid player Robin, but these Fantasy-alikes don't lie ...

Next: The Quiet(ish) Achievers

End of Year stuff

Don't want to hog the limelight from the fantasy post below, but I thought I'd better get this up here so Panda can see what's going on.

Tomorrow night (Sat 4th) is the club end of year function. That's where the Stallion and Pony of the season is going to be awarded so be good for everyone to make an appearance.

Next Saturday (11th) it looks like we have good numbers able to make the Nix game, so the plan for that is to meet at Arizona for a meal and bit of spin the wheel, before heading off to the game. Meet at Arizona no later than 5:30 then off the game at just before 7. Both Arizona and the Nix are in the Entertainment book with 2-4-1 offers so if you have that bring it along.

See you tomorrow.

End of season Fantasy points: The Top Scorers

Paddy
Place: 1
Goals: 1
Assists: 11
Bonus Points: 16
Total Points: 82
Points per game: 6.8
EPL Fantasy alike: Damn shame that I can't think of a fantasy alike for the star player. Instantly you think of the playmakers - like Fabregas, Arteta, Milner etc Paddy has hogged the set pieces all season, hit an amazing number of assists and picked up twice as many bonus points as any other player. Unlike those EPL playmakers, however, Paddy has continued a remarkable inability to score any goals - and that would be the worst assist to goal record in the world. So thinking more laterally, we might have to go beyond the epl, to everyone's 2nd best, broken down, way too old playmaker - Simon Elliott.

Rauru
Place:2
Goals:7 (yes, I know - 'But I scored 2 goals in the games before we started this fantasy crap')
Assists: 1
Bonus Points: 3
Total Points: 62
Points per game: 4.42
EPL fantasy alike: Bobby Zamora: 'When you're sat in row Z, and the ball hits your head, that's Zamora.' Big strikers, big reputations, and both rock the white long sleeved undershirt. Both play damn well, but never quite the amount of goals the fans are hoping for. Zamora once scored 5 goals in a match for West Ham I think, and little else that season. Sound familiar? Rauru scored the biggest single haul for the Stallions with 21 points vs Lower Hutt (more than some of the defence got all season), remove that from the tally and what happens? Good season though, golden boot (though being the player he is, Rauru may be a little embarrassed at winning this with a grand total of 9 goals). Its a shame that just one more would have made double figures, and there was one moment this season I think when the ball was so close to going over the line (ha ha!).
Quote of the season: On being accused of leaving muddy Nairnville suspiciously clean - 'I can't help it if I have the balance of a gymnast (or was it ballerina?)

 Lloyd
Place:3
Goals:4 (1 other in fantasy 'preseason')
Assists:1 (now that can't be right)
Bonus Points: 9
Total Points: 57
Points per game: 4.38
EPL fantasy alike: Undoubtedly its Lloydy Lampard, similar number of points for the bosses of the central midfield. Suffered a little this season from Paddy's epic points haul, and like when Drogba goes to take pens and Lampard pushes him away, Lloyd must cast a dirty look at Paddy following the ref and preparing for freekicks in a footballing version of a hack lawyer chasing ambulances. For every show pony, there needs to be someone to do the graft right.
Moment of the season: the glorious chip over the keeper vs Elite, a thing of beauty - just a shame it hit the post.

Next: The (other) showponies

Stallions 2010, the final edition vs Lower Hutt

A moment (or two) of brilliance from an unlikely source was the difference in the final game of the season for the triumphant 2010 Stallions.

The start of the game was delayed due to Lower Hutt being scared to take the field after their humiliation the last time these two teams met. Another beatdown was on the cards with Lower Hutt leaking as many goals in recent games as the Titanic did water. The only beatdown happening however was on the next door field with a massive fight taking place during a rugby match. Everyone was quite enjoying watching handbags being thrown until a little #11, who was throwing as many cheeky punches to people lying on the ground as he could, got laid out by a punch that hit so hard that even Lance Cairns would have heard it (see his recent interview on Campbell Live if you don't get this reference).

After the pre game excitement the real match got underway. The rare green and yellow Panda couldn't be found anywhere, and Lower Hutt only had 11 so couldn't ref so the Stallions started with just the one sub. Lower Hutt started well, their confidence high as they saw that the four goal hero from the last game, R. Walker, was the man behind the whistle. Their pace up front made the Stallions defenders look they were running on a treadmill, but good scrambling by the defence and equally good goal keeping kept out the goals. There were a few nervous moments with stand in keeper Bell parrying the ball onto the crossbar from one cross, as well as parrying another over the crossbar from a direct freekick. The Stallions were also managing to break well with there being a lot of space in the midfield even at this early stage of the game.

It was the set piece however that was to be the undoing of Lower Hutt. After winning a corner, Sawyer sent in an outswinging corner from the right that was met by the head of Wong. The ball seemed to be traveling reasonably harmlessly toward their player standing on the near post however he took a massive swing at the ball and somehow managed to miss it completely. 1-0 Stallions.

Wong was so overwhelmed with his first goal of the season he subbed himself off not much later, before getting behind the whistle himself. The rest of the half continued on without too much drama, other than a decent penalty shout by Lower Hutt with one of their players going down in the box. Replays suggest however that it was probably a dive and that their player could easily have been carded himself.

The second half continued on in much the same way as the first. Lower Hutt's youthful strikers continued to attack the Stallions aging defence, but the cool heads at the back did enough to keep the scorers unoccupied.

The Stallions were causing a few problems of their own up front with the Mann and 'The Giant' wrecking havoc down the wings. Mann and R. Walker combined in the goal box well with Walker getting a shot away that was well saved by the keeper, only for The Giant to blaze over. Mann was heard commenting "And that one was meant to be a pass", an apparent reference to his 'assist' from the previous weekend.

It was not long of a wait however until that moment of brilliance. The man at the centre of it was Wong, but it was oh so right (sorry, couldn't resist). Wong's goals were like twins - both from a corner from the right, both outswingers, both met by Wong in roughly the same place - although they were far from identical. While first one gets considered the 'nice guy friend' by his female peers, the second has movie star good looks. This goal is so awesome, Ben Hodges' goals wear pyjamas with its' image on them.

This time the Mann delivered the corner which drifted to Wong who was standing near the top of the box. While most would have taken an almighty swing and sent the ball back towards their own goal, Wong timed the flight of the ball to perfection with his volley rocketing into the back of the net. While 005 has tried reinacting this goal on the Playstation, I'll leave it to Zizu to best describe it. Just imagine it came from a corner and was hit with his right foot and it's more or less identical. Stallions 2-0




With 15 to go Lower Hutt managed to pull one back with a surging run by one of their midfielders through the centre of the park before unleashing a powerful shot from just outside the box that Bell managed to get a hand on but could not keep it out of the net. 2-1.

With 5 minutes to go it looked like Lower Hutt had done enough to get some points as another run down opened up the Stallions defence, the ball was crossed in and Hinkly, who had done well to get back into the box, could not get his hand out of the way quick enough (a problem he struggled with throughout the game). The Butcher could not ignore the shouts of handball and awarded a penalty. The man to step up to take the spot kick was Lower Hutt's regular keeper who had been given a licence to play in the outfield for the game. His moment of glory was finally upon him as he was given the chance to score his first goal, although he struck the ball so poorly that even Goodall and Aitofi cringed. The ball bounced so many times before it reached Bell that Bell almost lost his balance and fell over it. The Butcher couldn't believe it either and almost called "No ball!" before realising his surroundings. Lower Hutt players were heard saying "and that's why he's keeper" although one couldn't help but feel that's why he shouldn't be keeper.

The rest of the game progressed as usual with a few scary moments in the Stallions defensive quarter, but the scorers were not to be troubled again, with the final whistle going with the scores at 2-1. Bell in goal and Wong in the outfield were the undoubted heroes of the game, with Wong's moment of brilliance possibly going down as one of the greatest goals in Stallions history.

And so that it is for the Stallions 2010 vintage. The 10th year in their history will see them back in division 6 where it all started, with off season training starting up in a few weeks in the form of 5-a-side. 2011 cant come soon enough.

Replay - Spencer's stunner

Its taken me all day to get this done, but imitating Spencer's goal on Fifa09, copying it, posting to youtube, is all such an ordeal - would have been easier just do it next week on the park.

Anyway, here is the closest take:

Already by popular demand its up on the goal of the season poll - sadly it forced my own entry out.

A giant-like performance (with long shorts)

Right, in absence of a match report, you will have to read Elite's here - including description of our 'giant' striker who scored the first goal with his shoulder. Giant? I think not.

Some funny shit did happen in that last game:
- Graham (feeling striker-like) ordering poor Spencer to go get the ball for a throw in. Just pointed and yelled, while blowing harder than the normal stallion.
- Tangihaere surging forward with a classic 'REFEREE!' Elite players just laughed, and one said 'Referee, I'm a diver!'
- After the final whistle Graham turning around and yelling 'Ref' thinking he was penalised.
- Rauru's little push and shove. How many times have we seen that this season, are we ever going to see anything more?
- Paddy constantly blaming the bobbling ground for his crap shots.
- Paddy runs to the wrong side to deliver a corner

Ok, Fantasy points:
Paul 3 (+60, +3 saves)
Joe 3 (+60, 1 bp)
Lloyd 10 (+60, 1 assist, 1 mf goal)
Paddy 5
Robin 12 (+60, 2 goals, 2mvps)
Graham 9 (+60, 1 assist, 3mvps)

Everyone else 2

Leaderboard:
Paddy 77
Rauru 60
Panda 56
Lloyd 55
Robin 50

Pre-Fantasy points

Don't want to interject before the match report, but great game on Saturday Stallions - that first half was one of our best all round team performances for a while.

A little stuck on Fantasy points though:
Goal 1 - Robin's shoulder, Paddy assist?
Goal 2 - Lloyd, assist?
Goal 3 - Robin, assist?
G Mann got one of those assists (can't remember which one - but do recall it being Aaron-like in its dodginess), who got the other?

There were also some damn funny moments, which we will save until after the match report to see if they feature in there. The car decided the following points (but admittedly many Stallions could have claimed mvp points:
3 - G Mann - big first half in defence, big second half on attack
2 - Robin - 2 goals, again playing that wide role well
1 - Joe - great all round game.

Stallion - hmm forget, someone help out?
Pony - Rauru, missed open goal, denied my season defining, nae-career defining, assist. F**ker.

Nick G, classy as ever

 

'Steve, or any other Olympic lads, how's the boy who got his teeth smashed?  I was the other player and have just got back from the hospital with 7 staples in my head.  The doc pulled out about 8 small bits of teeth from my wound!'

 

 

Tomorows game - in the trenches

No transfer, but even worse the game before us is still going ahead too. Prepare for the worst, but lets still kill these mfers.

END OF YEAR CLUB FUNCTION

Just a heads up that the EoY function for the club is set for Saturday 4th September. We're probably still going to be playing that weekend, so there's no real excuse not to turn up. We'll have a team function as well in a few weeks time (lawn bowls or paintball are the two options being put forward) so we'll have to have a think about that too. Suggestions and possible dates welcome. I suggest Sat 11th Sept for something during the day followed by the Nix at the Stadium vs Sydney.

Capital Football are just cruel...

Why Nairnville #2 again it's rooted well and truly, we made sure of it the last time we played.

Anyway they can't spell check either ...

CAPITAL FOOTBALL DRAW FOR 21 - 23 AGUST: ? 

CAPITAL 7 GOLD:
University 4th XI Vs SV Killer Bees @ Nairnville 1 (2.30);
Marist Cobras  Vs Uni Raiders  @ Kelburn (12.30);

CAPITAL 7 BLACK:
Uni Stallions  Vs Wgtn United Elite @ Nairnville 2 (2.30);
Nth Wgtn Varsity  Vs Lower Hutt City @ Newlands (12.30);

CANCELLED

The following grades are cancelled:-
Capital 1 - 16 (including Cap 1 games at Te Whaea & all Masters divisions.

Fantasy Points vs Nth Wellington

Awards:
Stallion: Logan
Pony: Aaron
MVP:
3 - Paddy
2 - Corey
1 - Robin

Fantasy points:

Paul 1 (+60, -2 4 goals conceded, 1 +3 saves)

Tangi 0 (+60, -2, 4 goals conceded)

Jason 0

Mike 0

Spencer 2
Corey 4 (+60, 2mvp)

Aaron 7 (+60, 1 midfield goal)

Nick 2

Paddy 11 (+60, 2 assists, 3mvps)

Robin 7 (+60, forward goal, 1mvp)

Rauru  5 (+60, 1 assist)

Gus 7 (+60, 1 mf goal)

Paddy leading the charge well and truly now (as one would expect), but a bit of a closer race for the following positions. So an extended leaderboard (all players with 35 points or more):

Paddy 72

Rauru 58

Panda 54

Lloyd 45

Aaron 45

Tristin 42

Robin 38

Logan 35

No defenders, which clearly points to the weakness of the system that we are all aware of. Out of interest, before Paddy is exalted too much on a per game basis he earns 6.54 points, whereas Logan has got 7.0. Best player by far!

Right bring on Elite on Saturday - who managed to concede more goals than us last Saturday! Prepare to feel our blacklash!

Slipped one past the keeper

Like Hodges at his best, he managed to slip this comment past us without much fuss or anyone noticing...much like his goals really. It was one of the comments that came from the July 17th post and I was only allerted to it from a Facebook comment that he posted on my page in response to our promotion announcement.

"If i was to be positive i'd say well done on your position going into the last round. If i was to be negative i'd say being second in the league having non wins outweigh wins is a f*cken joke.

Yes inexplicable that you guys should be doing so well without me. All i can think of is that without me the opposition have been more relaxed - too relaxed and have not realised that whilst i was an outstanding talent the rest of the stallions were potentially Division sixers.

Good luck for the weekend i predict a dramatic 3-2 loss after leading 2 nil at half time.

Our season started later than yours so i'll be playing not watching this weekend. Plenty of space on the sidelines of Weka Park for anyone to come up in the next few weeks and watch..."

When you say there's plenty of space on the sidelines, you dont happen to mean your left hand sideline do you? There always seemed to be quite a bit of space at Nairnville too... ;)

EPL Fantasy

Talking of fantasy points, with the EPL starting this weekend, a few more Stallions should get amongst our team league. As the reigning champion I invite all comers - I hear that Paddy is supposed to be great at this sort of thing, but I've also heard he can score goals.

This is a lot of fun. Join up here. Once you have entered your team join the Stallions league.

Definitely one of those games to forget ...

Well, halves to forget - that first half was pretty damn spectacular.

Following on from the email, we need some nominations for the weekly awards/mvps. Its a tough one, so suggestions needed! Here's my thoughts:

Stallion:
Gus's remarkable reverse header goal - pretty damn impressive, shouldn't have happened, gave us the early advantage.
Anything else?

Pony:
Hmmm - anything?
- Perhaps my poacher's goal could sneak in - but I wasn't sure it was going over the line - honest!
- There was that great moment when all 22 players and the ref were yelling at Mike to get the ball from the next game, but he was hovering on the edge refusing to go on, even though the action was on the otherside of the field. Then we he finally did it one of the Nth Wellington players yelled 'Switch!'. Pretty funny, and the joke was on Mike.
- Didn't Tangihaere slip over but somehow the ball still managed to bounce off his head. That was also funny - but could be genius I don't know.
- Corey's handbags at dawn?

MVPs?
Paddy had a huge first half, at the heart of everything we did. I also reckon Corey and Jason did well especially in that first half with the extra demands of only playing 3 at the back.
And Robin - played the wide role well in that first half, giving us those backpost runs we have lacked - scored off one of them, and was continually stretching their D.
Other suggestions? Would be great to hear from those who ain't usually at our sessions and able to contribute to the voting. Email to me if thats easier.

Worst pen ever

For your Friday viewing pleasure ...

Uni Stallions 2 Vs SV Killer Bees1

We're going up!

History was created in Saturday's Match of the Day, as a comeback victory over Stokes Valley secured Div 6 football next season for the Uni Stallions. The first half was an old fashion arm wrestle with the pesky Killer Bees punching well above their weight. Both teams created decent chances in the first half with only a magnificent clearing header on his own goaline by Lister, keeping the scores level.

0-0 HT

A second intercepted pass in sucessive games from Aitofi at the back let Stokes Valley steal the opener in the 58th minute. Stallions fans began to fear the worst and could see the Sunday paper headlines "Stallions stung by Bees", "Stallions drown in honey", "Buzz off Aitofi" etc...however this season's surprise package again demonstrated the composure they had shown all season after going down 1-0.

The Stallions rallied well and pegged one back 10mins later through Pandinho,who toed in from close range. Centreback T. Walker scored his first goal since 'Italia '90' on the Sega Master System, with a blasted finish on 80mins to seal victory.
The promtion dream now a reality for a club which began humbly with one man kicking a sock down a dorm hallway - A remarkable acheivement for a group of old state and public sector workers who don't care enough to train, but are instead driven by a love of the game...and beer.

Attendance: 5

Great Knock-Out Cup Draw

CAPITAL 7 GOLD:
Uni 4th XI      v Marist Cobras     @ Nairnville 1 (2.30)
Uni Raiders     v SV Killer Bees    @ Nairnville 2 (12.30)

CAPITAL 7 BLACK:
Uni Stallions   v Nth Wgtn Varsity  @ Nairnville 2 (2.30)
Lower Hutt City v Wgtn United Elite @ Fraser 2 (2.30)

Best of luck guys!

Names on Stallions replica shirts

Interesting article here on names requested to be printed on EPL shirts (I'm not researching Fantasy Football honest). Wonder what the Stallions list would look like - I only see one really this season, and it would be a goodie - PANDA or perhaps even Tyrone emblazoned above the no.16.

Don't worry Tristin, if theres room for Owen on this list, I'm sure you would scrape into the Stallions one.

Heard on the sidelines #126, or 'NUTSED'

Now, its never fun seeing someone gets hit in this way, BUT, it is funny that before the game Lloyd commented: 'Its one of those days you don't want to get hit flush on the thigh, or elsewhere ...'

Fantasy Points vs Killer Bees

Photo: Paddy powers another shot into the Killer Bees goal, surrounded by a rainbow of fantasy points.

Brilliant effort Stallions, points/awards end up like this:

Stallion: Aaron (headed clearance from the goal line - yep, this award sure makes up for the concussion)
Pony: Jason (Second game in a row gets caught out playing the beautiful game from the back)

MVPs:
3 - Paddy, huge game, especially up front in the second half which turned the game our way. Great hustle, perfect runs, but some of those shots were truly pathetic.
2 - Tangihaere - followed up last performance with another barnstorming game, scored the winner (its been a while between drinks here huh Tangihaere? When did you last score?)
1 - Panda, dominated up front in that second half, great goal, bonus points for charging onto the field as a sub when there was the sniff of a melee.

Fantasy points:

Paul 3 (+60, +3 saves)

Tangihaere 10 (+60, defenders goal, 2 mvps)

Aaron 5 (+60, 1 assist)

Paddy 8 (+60, 1 assist, 3 mvps)

Panda 7 (+60, 1 forwards goal, 1 mvp)

Everyone else, the big 2

Paddy's opening up a bit of a gap on the old leaderboard:
Paddy 61
Panda 54
Rauru 53

Promotion

We're coming for you Goodall ...

A bit of inspiration for tomorrow

Killers bees left to sweat for another week GAME CANCELLED

Games set for SATURDAY 24 July 2010

CAPITAL FOOTBALL: Senior notice Updated 2.15pm (Friday) 23.07.2010

The following grades are CANCELLED:-
Capital 4 and all other senior mens grades

through to and including Capital 16, all Masters grades.

Fantasy Points vs Raiders Redux

Here we go again, a good performance, but again the Defence get slammed. I am already coming up with plans to correct the imbalance for next season. Until then, let this continue.

After the total lack of MVP suggestions last week, this week it was decided in the car on the ways back, with concussed Mike taking the lead. (A great heard from the sidelines quote: 'I think that hard header before the game may have knocked me out a little. I wasn't quite there all game'.  3 MVP points pretty obvious - Tangihaere had an outstanding game. Through Graham picks up the Stallion - and that squeal Rauru mentioned must almost be a contender for celebration of the season. Joe unfortunately picks up the pony for the atrocious tackle. Still it was never a pen though - whinging Raiders.

MVPs:
3 - Tangihaere
2 - Aaron
1 - Tristin


Fantasy points:
Tangihaere: 4 (+60, -1 for 2 goals conceded, 3 mvps)
All other defenders 1
Graham: 7 (+60, mf goal)
Aaron: 10 (+60, 2 assists, 2 bps)
All other midfielders 2
Tristin 11 (+60, 2 striker goals, 1 bp)
Other strikers 2

Leaderboard don't change much with the usual suspects out of the points:
Paddy 53
Rauru 51
Panda 46
Lloyd 43

That's me, off to Sydney tomorrow - go well Stallions, send us into the forbidden realms of Div 6, and celebrate the promotion the way it deserves. Oh yeah, someone txt me the result. Gutted to be missing this.

Bull & Bear Stallions 3 V Uni Raiders 2

A brace from McCleary and a rare goal from G Mann ensured the three points for the Stallions on Saturday at Nairnville. In shin deep mud both sides attempted to play football but were undone by the atrocious conditions.

McCleary opened the scoring after 10mins with a well taken goal. Turning his marker at the top of the box, McCleary curled a shot wide of the keeper and inside the left upright. 1-0

The Raiders enjoyed most of the position and peppered the Stallions goal, without being able to break their opponents down.
They had a good shout turned down by Umpire Davies, when right back Fogarty brought down a Raiders striker on the edge of the box. Replays were inconclusive as to whether or not the foul was committed inside the goal box, and so benefit of the doubt went to the batsman.

After soaking up Raiders pressure for at least 25mins, the Stallions launched a counter. Utility G Mann went on a trademark barnstorming run, brushing off three would-be tacklers before sliding a shot past the keeper for a classy finish. 2-0 (35mins)

HT 2-0

2nd half was much of the same with the Raiders stringing some good passes together and pressuring the Stallions goal. The breakthrough came after 55mins when centre back Aitofi was caught trying to play football in his own third. His stray pass was intercepted by a Raiders attacker who finished well over the head of Utility G Mann who was now in goal. 2-1

The Stallions managed to pull away again after some good work from White and Lister down the right. Lister had a shot blocked from close range and the rebound fell for McCleary to stab home his second. 3-1 (65min)

However, the Raiders were not finished and continued to attack. They pulled another goal back after a miscued defensive header from Bob Hinkels ballooned high in the air above the Stallions six yard box. Keeper G Mann was out-jumped by a Raiders attacker and the ball bobbled in to the goal 3-2 (72mins)

From then in it was all hands to the pump for the Stallions as they fought to hang on to their slender lead. At times playing a line of five at the back plus a sweeper, the home side battled hard and were relieved to hear the full time whistle sound. 3-2

Attendance: 2

NB: The previous weeks result was 4-2 to the Stallions- scorers Sawyer, Davies, R Walker, Pandinho

So Stallions win 7-4 on aggregate!

Magpies, we 're coming for you

Back to our rightful promotion place:

CAPITAL 7:
University 4th XI     5    Nth Wgtn Varsity      1
Lower Hutt City       1    Marist Cobras         1
Uni Stallions         3    Uni Raiders           2
SV Killer Bees        2    Wgtn United Elite     3

                       P  W  D  L  GF  GA  Pts
University 4th XI     13  9  2  2  33  24  29
Uni Stallions         13  6  5  2  30  20  23
Marist Cobras         13  6  4  3  35  28  22
Lower Hutt City       13  5  3  5  39  35  18
Wgtn United Elite     13  5  3  5  28  30  18
Nth Wgtn Varsity      13  4  5  4  31  26  17
Uni Raiders           13  3  0 10  21  44   9
SV Killer Bees        13  2  2  9  30  40   8

Totally in our hands now. Who have we got again 0 Killer Beez? 

Fantasy vs Raiders I

Looks like we are on today, too right I say. Sorry, haven't got around to last week's fantasy points until now. No nominations for MVP points from you f**kers, so based on hazy recollections from the pub I think we went Paddy = 3, Tristin = 2, Lloyd =1, but really Paddy is the only one I'm sure about. Oh well, you all had your chance.

Paul 2 (3 saves, -2 goals)
Paddy 12 ( +60, goal, assist, 3bps)
Tristin  10 (+60, 2 assists, 2 bps)
Lloyd  8 (+60, goal, 1 bp)
Rauru 6 (+60, goal)
Panda 6 (+60, goal)

All defenders get 1 (loss of points for conceding 2 goals)
All other midfielders 2

Leaderboard is getting stretched further than the raiders defence, but for what it is worth, it looks like this:
Paddy 51
Rauru 49
Panda 44
Lloyd 41

Arrrgh results

From the YF forum:

another disappointing loss for Lower Hutt as we continue our freefall down the ladder, down 4-3 in a close game that could have gone either way, with a couple of pivotal decisions not going our way.  LH up 2-0 and 3-1 before a rollicking Cobras comeback.  Two thumbs up for the artificial - some inconceivably slick passing moves from both sides.

Gus & Joe?

Pic and idea stolen from this great football-themed blog post. Definitely worth a read on the eve of the big game:

Saturday Night Live

Big game this Saturday night boys. Here's roughly how the table looks (I can't cut and paste for some reason):

Uni 4ths: 23pts, +4 gd
Marist: 18pts, +4 gd
Nth Wgtn: 17 pts, +10 gd
Stallions: 17 pts, +7 gd
Lower Hutt: 17 pts, +5 gd

And here are the games that effect us:
Uni 4ths vs Nth Wgtn
Marist vs Lower Hutt

Likely scenario I think is that Nth Wgtn will drop points against 4ths, but I think Marist will beat Lower Hutt. Hutt are just rubbish at the moment and Marist are playing well. Based on that, and assuming we beat the Raiders, we'll move into 3rd, still one point behind Marist and the coverted promotion spot. I think Marist have a harder run in than we do (although they will play Lower Hutt again. Is 4ths their other game?), but the fact still remains that we have to do the business this weekend. I don't think goal difference is going to matter as long as we win the rest of our games so let's make sure we do the business this weekend.

I've also gone and booked a booth at 4 Kings for Saturday night from 7pm so we've got somewhere for the rugby if people are keen for that. It's a $300 minimum spend, but I'm sure we'll get through that easy enough. It's only 11 jugs which will be sweet so long as we get at least 5 there. Also, no one has said they can't play (although Jason is 50/50 as he gets back on Saturday I think) so it could be a bit of standing around on the sideline like last time we were at Te Whaea. See you all on Saturday.

The draw for Saturday 10th july

check out our kick off time

All of div 7 is set for Te Whaea it's bound to be cancelled we've got the Raiders

CAPITAL 7:

Nth Wgtn Varsity __ University 4th XI __ Te Whaea (1pm);

Wgtn United Elite __ SV Killer Bees __ Te Whaea (3pm);

Uni Raiders __ Uni Stallions __ Te Whaea (5pm);

Marist Cobras __ Lower Hutt City __ Te Whaea (7pm);

Heard on the Sidelines...

...of the Cat Stevens Convert in Christchurch last Friday night,

"So I was on the road along with Jimi Hendrix, Englebrecht Humperdink and the Walker Brothers... ...and we were taking a few mind altering substances..."

He might of been talking about these guys, but who knows. Not exactly out of character etc.

Tomorrows game CANCELLED 3rd July 2010

CAPITAL FOOTBALL: Senior notice Updated 7.15pm (Friday)

The following grades are CANCELLED:

Capital 7, 10, 14, Masters 2 and 5.

Fantasy Points vs Lower Hutt

Pic: Rauru's fantasy fairy.

Well, I guess we take the good with the bad, and we have to see Rauru's fantasy value rise after a great game on the weekend. If anything though, this does reveal how when it comes to fantasy points for div 7 they don't quite work, and are heavily biased towards strikers. Lets face it clean sheets are much harder to come by then goals, and strikers don't get penalised for bad games where defence does. Not saying Rauru doesn't deserve 21 points for the weekend (one of the best striking performances in a Stallions top), but he deserved to be punished for all those other games when no goals were scored!

21 points is pretty big - a number of us don't have this many for the entire season! But its all just a bit of fun.

Saturday's results:
Paul 3 (+60, +3 saves)
Mike 3 (+60, 1bp)
Paddy 10 (+60, 2 assists, 2 bps)
Robin 5 (+60, 1 assist)
Rauru 21 (+60, 4 goals, 3bps)
Everyone else 2

Season Totals:
Rauru 43
Panda 38
Paddy 35

Nicely done Rauru, lets have another 4 this weekend!

Heard on the sidelines #11

Rauru (with evil grin after Lower Hutt score in the final minute): 'There goes a lot of clean sheet fantasy points'. Evil captain.

Its taken me all week to tally all your points Rauru, I'll post them tonight.

Heard on the sidelines 10

'Is your temperature gauge always stuck on hot?'

Mike asks a big question mere minutes before Nick's car breaks down on the motorway on the way to the game.

Today's results

Good effort today Stallions, but unfortunately all our 

opposition for top spots also had big wins. 

CAPITAL 7:
Nth Wgtn Varsity      5    Uni Raiders           0
University 4th XI     1    Wgtn United Elite     1
Lower Hutt City       1    Uni Stallions         5
SV Killer Bees        1    Marist Cobras         5

                       P  W  D  L  GF  GA  Pts
University 4th XI     11  7  2  2  25  21  23
Marist Cobras         11  5  3  3  30  24  18
Nth Wgtn Varsity      11  4  5  2  28  18  17
Uni Stallions         11  4  5  2  23  16  17
Lower Hutt City       11  5  2  4  35  30  17
Wgtn United Elite     11  3  3  5  22  26  12
Uni Raiders           11  3  0  8  17  37   9
SV Killer Bees        11  2  2  7  26  34   8

Itallion Stallion?

Available here.

Where's Wally? / Pick the Pony

We all know who the pony is that we should be picking, but spotting him (and her) in this crowd is the challenge. SHIRTS OFF FOR THE BOYS!!!

Are you Jason in disguise?

Or maybe Goodall?

Capital Football cancellations 19th june 2010

Told you this game was never meant to happen

WE'RE CANCELLED...

CAPITAL FOOTBALL: Updated 6.55pm (Friday)
Please scroll down for all transfers and cancellations

Ground Transfers. Please use the correct field. Do not move to another field. Thank you:

CAPITAL FOOTBALL: Senior notice:

The following grades are cancelled:

Capital 7, 10, 11, 13 and 15

Stallions vs Uni 4ths

No match report, but a few things I remember:

- Classic Stallions, roll into the ground 12.15 to find the 4ths in their imposing black away strip (we got to wear that, just once) practicing drills and looking mean.  Stallions scramble around looking for nets etc, Spencer shows up with the strip about 7 minutes before kickoff, and then leaves until after kickoff. No sign of Panda, all our ringins meeting each other for the first time.

- We put up a much better account of ourselves than last time playing these guys. Led by Dan & Greg at the back who carved up. 0-0 at halftime, but gave away a soft goal about 10 mins into second half. Taking ball out of from the back, Nick fires a poor pass that is intercepted, giving a 3 on 1 which they finish. One of those annoying ones - a mistake anyone could make, gave a chance and they finished it.

- Other memorable moments: Nick finding himself free in the goalbox, fires off a rocket but well saved ... Mike B playing the beautiful game, dribbles, cuts inside his man ... Greg doing a Heskey-like run through the middle, must have beaten 4/5 guys, an array of pinpoint & dangerous freekicks/corners - step aside Paddy, we have  a new deadball specialist, and he wears No.5 ... Mike's moustache.

- Stallion for Dan, Pony for Nick, pub chat decides that there is no point awarding mvp points to star ringins, so they go 3 = Aaron, 2 = Lloyd, 1 = Joe.

- Another low scoring fantasy round, 2 for everybody, except: Paul 3 (+60 mins, 3 saves), Aaron, Lloyd & Joe.

- Special thanks to Logan for reffing the first half in exchange for a 20 minute blat (and escape from the tupperware party), Joe for reffing the second half (especially after playing a huge first half) & Corey for showing up but not getting a game.

That's about it - bring on the Raiders, I reckon we are still looking goos for 2nd and a cup victory!

Heard on the sidelines #9

"That was a shit celebration Rob. I would have been naked and dancing." - Lister giving Rob some stick about his celebration (or lack thereof) when scoring the equaliser against North Wellington. Maybe Aaron meant something like this:

Don't know about you...

But I want to see a match report on last night's game from StevieG!

Are you deaf from Vuvuzelas yet? How was the stadium?

CAPITAL FOOTBALL DRAW FOR 19 & 20 JUNE:

Bet we get cancelled This game is never meant to happen

CAPITAL 7:
University 4th XI V Nth Wgtn Varsity    Nairnville 1 (2.30);
Lower Hutt City   V Marist Cobras       Fraser 2 (12pm);
Uni Stallions V Uni Raiders Kelburn(12.30)
SV Killer Bees    V Wgtn United Elite Delaney 1 (12.30);

Capital Football cancellations GAME STILL ON...

Same time same place ...

SATURDAY 12th JUNE:

The following grades are CANCELLED:
Capital 1, 2, 9, 16, Masters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

CAPITAL 7:
Uni Stallions __ University 4th XI __ Kelburn (12.30);
SV Killer Bees __ Lower Hutt City __ Delaney 2 (12.30);
Wgtn United Elite __ Nth Wgtn Varsity __ MacAlister 1 (2.30) NOW Newtown;
Uni Raiders __ Marist Cobras __ Nairnville 1 (12.30) NOW Miramar 1;

University Stallions 1 Vs Nth Wellington Varsity 1

Friday night football and a capacity crowd witnessed two evenly matched teams battle for a draw at Te Whaea. It was standing room only with even Nick White having to jump over the fence to get in the ground before kickoff.

The Stallions took the field early to acclimatise to the surface and looked good in the warmups. Looking good in particular was Bob Hinkels who showed tremendous enthusiam (as per usual)to get shots off on goal. After the prematch handshakes, "Get on with the game.." nothing much happened in the first half. *insert your own recollections here*

0-0 at half time with both teams playing cautiously.

2nd half was a much more open affair and the Nth Wellington team opened the scoring after a shot from out side the box took a wicked bobble on the uneven surface and skipped past Kilford
in to the back of the net. *insert your own recollections here* 0-1 (70mins)

Once again the Stallions sparked in to life after going behind and won a succession of corner kicks. They flooded the box with 5mins to go and a delicious corner from Sawyer was met at the
far post by Bob Hinkels who soared above his marker and powered the ball home, top left corner. Hinkels celebrated his first goal of the season with a genuine look of surprise and a few 'jump for joys' ala '82 World Cup. 1-1 (85mins)

Hinkels had another chance a minute later, and White had a shot with the last kick of the game but couldn't convert. The Stallions nearly pulling off an unlikely win.

Attendance:38 (new club record)

This correspondent is off to South Africa following the All Whites, and covering the World Cup for the Kapi-Mana News. I will be back to play on the 10 July. Good luck Stallions!

Friday Night Fantasy Points

Pretty straightforward this week (bonus points courtesy of Lachlan):

Robin gets 10 points (+60, midfield goal, 3 bonus points)
Paddy gets 7 (+60, assist, 1 bp)
Butch gets a cool 3 (+60, 1 bp)

The rest of us losers get a stink 2.

Overall the leaderboard is:
Panda = 36
Lloyd = 27
Logan = 27
Paddy = 25

Photograph: Oh, that's Ralph Hinkley ...

Friday Night Lights

And so the countdown starts for the big game at Te Whaea under lights. It's a game that has brought a whole lot of people out of the woodwork. Former Stallions Ben Hodges and Nick Goodall have begged for a return to the mighty team, and team manager Rafa Walker even received the following email from the club:

"Graham Essel from the men's firsts just texted me - he is super-keen for a game on the turf and wonders if you need a spare player tomorrow night"

The mighty Stallions however do not just throw their sacred shirt on anyones back, so a swift "Thanks, but no thanks (i.e. Piss off!)" was issued, to which Essel replied

"All good mate, I will be there to watch so thought I'd put my hand up"

Looks like there might need to be some temporary seating installed, it looks like a sell out.

Rafa loses the pot, the plot and the 'pool

See here

You can bet there was an albatross involved

Pick the Pony

10 fantasy bonus points if you can pick who the current Stallion is in this bunch. The date on the board should give a few clues but I know who it is but still can't see the resemblance!

Stallions Fantasy Points vs Marist Cobras

Corey 3 (60+ min, 2 goals conceded, 2bp)
Tangihaere 1 (60+ min, 2 goals conceded)
Joe 1
Jason 1
Mike 1
Spencer 2 (60+ min)
Panda 2
Paddy 2 (unlucky not to get an assist for Tristin's first but there was other contact from the defenders first)
Lloyd 2
Logan 2
Graham 3 (60+ min, 1bp for how he combined with Corey and a puddle in the first half to deny what seemed a certain goal)
Tristin 13 (60+ min, 2 goals, 3bp)
Rauru 2

So no assists for either goal as they both came from defenders touches from memory. It was all the Tristin show as far as points go. Good to see his name back on the score card - should make the golden boot race interesting (massive fines if you hog it from now on though and pull a Drogba). A bit shameful that just over halfway through the season the top goal scorer has 4! But then maybe it says something for the all-round team effort (rather than the crap balls in to the lazy strikers ;) ).

Penalty taking Psychology

For Jason, Goodall & Lampard

Here

Apparently, 'A wiley disregard for the presence of the keeper' is the key.

University Stallions 2 Vs Marist Cobras 2

The Stallions proved themselves to be the league's draw specialists with a 2-2 result against a spirited Marist side at Sodden Park.
Corey Bell summed up the pitch conditions with a prematch stroll around the ground, literally soaking in the atmosphere. The game looked unlikely to start, and just as the Stallions were considering retreating to a warm pub meal (well I know I was), Marist took to the field to 'warmup'. The challenge was laid down and the Stallions had no choice but to accept...

The match started with both goalmouths sitting under 10cms of water. Bell (complete with snorkel) took over the goalkeeping duties for the Stallions. Both teams had players sporting beanies and the opening whistle could not be heard over the gale force winds, horizontal rain, and roars of laughter. Neither side could believe they were actually playing.

McCleary finally broke his scoring drought on 15mins with a close range shot which created a torrent of water that travelled further than the ball. The Marist keeper was temporarily blinded by water and mud, as the ball trickled over the line. 1-0

The Marist team tried to play proper football, which was the wrong thing to do with the wind at their backs. The Stallions hoofed the ball at every opportunity looking to hit on the counter.
They were under the pump at times and there were some close calls as Wong cleared a shot off the line from a corner and Bell tipped a header over the bar from Aitofi.

Halftime saw the rain and wind stop dead...
McCleary bagged his second from some good build up play with a shot from 8yrds which took a deflection and found its way inside the right upright. 2-0 60mins

With the game seemingly in the bag the Stallions relaxed. A Marist midfielder went on a mazy run from the centre circle, straight through the middle of the field. His chipped shot sailed over Bell(who was up to his waist in mud). 2-1 75 mins

The equaliser came from a 30yrd free kick given on the left of the box. (Not sure who gave it away but they should be shot!) It hung in the air and beat the unlucky Bell (who was now preserved in ice). 2-2 81mins

Both teams came close to scoring in the final minutes with Aitofi coming closest, unfortunately at the wrong end of the field, his stinging drive hit straight at Bell.

2-2 a fair result and football was most definitely not the winner on the day...

Friday night football awaits the Stallions next round, with a perfect playing surface that will no doubt suit their 'total football' philosophy.

Attendance: 2.5

At this stage we're still on while everyone else is cancelled

TRANSFERRED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CAPITAL 7:
Lower Hutt City __ Nth Wgtn Varsity __ Fraser 4 (12.30);
Uni Stallions __ Marist Cobras __ Kelburn (12.30) NOW Sladden:
SV Killer Bees __ University 4th XI __ Delaney 1 (2.30);
Wgtn United Elite __ Uni Raiders __ Melrose (2.30) NOW Hutt Park 3:

KP pitch report

Disclaimer: While this is probably the state of KP, this is by no means a cancellation notice. The author takes no responsibility for people not turning up to the game if by some miracle we do get to play. Please check cancellations in case there is a ground transfer. There will also be comments on this post tomorrow morning by 10am.

Capital Football draw May 22nd 2010

Here it is the clash some of you have been waiting 2 years for the Stallions vs Raiders @ the hallowed turf of Kelburn park

Capital 7 Draw 22nd May 2010

Nth Wgtn Varsity   Vs  University 4th XI @ Raroa (12.30);
Wgtn United Elite  Vs  SV Killer Bees    @ Melrose (2.30);
Uni Raiders        Vs  Uni Stallions     @ Kelburn (12.30);
Marist Cobras      Vs  Lower Hutt City   @ Miramar 3 (2.30)

Oh and results and table from last week COYS's

CAPITAL 7:

CAPITAL 7:
University 4th XI     4    Marist Cobras         0
Lower Hutt City       2    Uni Raiders           4
Uni Stallions         1    Wgtn United Elite     1
SV Killer Bees        2    Nth Wgtn Varsity      2
                       P  W  D  L  GF  GA  Pts
Lower Hutt City        7  5  1  1  30  15  16
University 4th XI      7  4  1  2  18  18  13
Uni Stallions          7  3  3  1  15  11  12
Nth Wgtn Varsity       7  2  3  2  16  14   9
Uni Raiders            7  3  0  4  16  22   9
Wgtn United Elite      7  2  2  3  16  16   8
Marist Cobras          7  2  2  3  15  20   8
SV Killer Bees         7  0  2  5  12  22   2

University Stallions 1 Vs Wgtn Utd Elite 1

Two evenly matched sides shared the points on a greasy Macalister Park 2. Another Panda (not his real name...) wonder goal halfway through the second spell cancelled out a Saywer own goal.

Surprisingly the Stallions began with the two Walker brothers leading the line, in an attempt to find out who the best footballer is in the family. Unfortunately this side game was to be a non event as neither received any quality service in the first half. This wasn't through lack of trying as the first half was a pretty open affair with both teams trying to play good football. The Stallions best chance of the half fell for Rafa Walker who had a one on one with the Elite keeper. The keeper came off his line well to close down the danger, and while Walker did well to create an opening, he was clearly showing the effects of one two many lagers the night previous. Elite had a virtual open goal miss which hit the woodwork and a good chance cleared off the line from a goal mouth scramble. Both sides went to half at nil all.

If anything the Elite side may have had a slight advantage physically, not shying away from any 50/50 challenges and getting to the ball first in most cases. The Stallions were still in the game, but they needed some luck.

They got some luck...of the bad variety. Fogarty gave away a dubious free kick on the right side of the Stallion's 18yd box. The resulting free kick was finished nicely by Sawyer who while attempting a block, could only guide it past a stranded Kilford in the Stallion's goal. (0-1 58mins)

To the Stallions credit, they did not drop their heads and instead pressed hard for an equaliser. They were finding joy down the right flank and it was Sawyer who made up for his earlier mistake by whipping in a delightful cross (for guess who?). Panda (not his real name...) rose majestically above his marker, and from the top of the box, glanced a curling header inside the right upright to send the Stallion's fans (Corey and Joe's dad) in to raptures. 1-1 (65mins)

Both sides worked hard to secure victory but could not unlock the opposing defences. Kilford made two excellent saves late in the game and the Elite team may have felt they slightly shaded the match and deserved more from the game? However it wasn't to be their day, the Stallions showing tremendous resilience.

Attendance: 6

The league closing up now with Lower Hutt losing their first match of the season to the Raiders and Uni 4ths moving to second place. Stallions 3rd, and still in with a chance of securing their first league title.

TAB ODDS: Div 7 Winners

Lower Hutt - $1.87
Uni 4ths - $2.50
Stallions- $2.90
Nth Wgtn - $4.00
Uni Raiders - $4.00
Wgtn Utd - $20.00
Marist Cobras - $50.00
Stokes Valley - $100.00

"You know the odds, now beat them!"

Fantasy Stallions Vs Elite

Gots to do this early before I forget who played and did what.

This week its real easy - everybody gets 2 points for participation (appropriate huh), except for these 3:

Paddy 1 (60+, 1 assist, 1bp, -5 oggie)
Lloyd 4 (60+, 2bps)
Panda 9 (60+, goal, 3bps)

 Fantasy Analysis:
If Lloyd is the Stallions fantasy Lampard, Panda has become the Malouda - 3 consecutive hauls of 9 points has seen heavy investment and significant price rises. Meanwhile the price of our regular strikers seems to be dropping! While Stallions have the best defence in the league, punters are still holding back from investing - the players are doing damn well, but clean sheets are hard to come by, and with the popular fantasy target, goal scoring defender Corey/Leighton Baines still on the sidelines ...

As for the grand totals, I'm just going to do the top 3, cause its pretty embarrassing for the bulk of the team who work hard and only get 2 points a game:

Panda = 34
Logan = 25
Lloyd = 23

Photo: his haircut may be better, but Malouda's goal scoring celebrations are crap compared to Pandas  (yesterday's was class - the now patented running behind the goal, but this time with the twist of pointing to the ball lodged in the back of the net). Love it.

HELL YEAH NO CANCELLATIONS

Elite, be afraid, be very afraid ...

Now, tell me, I forget - are we a good wet weather team or a crap one? I know its one or the other, but have forgotten.

Surely our next prize figure

http://engrishfunny.com/2010/05/12/engrish-funny-better-than-my-little-pony/

Heard on the sidelines #8

Is this...no it can't be...this isn't Tangihaere is it?


"I was studying Ronaldo this morning. Watch for the scoop."
Walker, T. Ranger gets a little bit excited after watching his man-crush.

Fantasy EPL Final Standings

If there was ever a doubt about where the brains of the team are, here are the final standings in Stallions Fantasy EPL:

	Team	Manager	GW	TOT
1	0005	Aaron L	80	2217
2	giddyupfc	corey b	60	2157
3	OGStallion	Rauru Walker	68	2104
4	Staliwharks	Nick Goodall	95	2068
5	Farnzie Finishers	Geoff Farnsworth	64	1985
6	Jay's Reds 09	Jay Aitofi	85	1882
7	Chis2dawick	Daniel Wharakura	35	1698