The second team were able to get there season up and running with a narrow defeat against strong opponents in Aylesbury last weekend. Aylesbury answered the call to replace Milton Keynes who were unfortunately unable to field a side.
A great turn out of 23 men asked the call of the park, with a real mixture of youth, 1st team squad players, and veterans, with the ages ranging from 18 to 54 years young.
Andy Davey was welcomed back after his hiatus over the road and played a full 80 minutes, after an unfortunate injury to fellow front row Craig Bassam. He obviously enjoyed himself by not only winning D**k of the day from his teammates, for some over exuberant tackling but for tom the first team for taking so long to come back to his home club, with which he started his long career.
At half time and playing into the sun the lads were very pleased with their efforts with the score only being 0-7, however having so many players, for once, change the balance of the side, however for once it as about everyone getting a run out in the Red and Yellow and not the result.
Some fatigue set in, with some players showing some fitness and rustiness issues, however one payer who knows no bounds is Aaron Beattie and he crashed over the line with 60mminutes to go to give Park some hope.
Unfortunately, the fatigue would not go away and unfortunately Aylesbury ran in three unanswered tries to give them a comfortable winning score. One aspect pf this game of ours was shown when Aylesbury lost three players to injuries, Stockwood lads put on their shirt to assist and should be commended for it, the true spirit of our game.
Some great performances throughout the side none more than Stockwood’s man of the match in Will Standring, whose dogged running and tackling was a feature of the game all afternoon.
This afternoon we have no game however in the first Super Vets game at Dunstable Bedfordhsire will be hosting Hertfordshire, the Park will be represented by Karl Belmar, Gary Duffy, Ian Humphreys, and Paul Harman are representing the club – anyone interested there is a simple rule – you only need to be over 50 years young – go well young men!! We hope to be hosting a game of our own in the forthcoming season so keep your eyese peeled for more details.
Dan Hooper – Second Team Captain