Relying on the GPS to get there worked. And it was a good thing too, as I took a few wrong turns. Once it was because I was following a bus, and the second time was because I didn't read the sign properly. In my defence, I'd only had a car in England for a week. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it :) Eventually we got there though.
We had a large squad, so that was good considering it was so hot. For England. It was probably 26, which was great if you weren't playing. I didn't mind it too much, but my lack of fitness was definitely telling. I also got to play up front more then before, as we had 2 other people who were going to play ruck as well. I wasn't a big fan of playing up front to be honest, I didn't see too much of the ball. I preferred being in the middle, and helping out where I could. I won a few taps as well because their ruck wasn't that much taller then me, so if I timed my jump I'd get the ball. It was good to be competitive. To start off the first quarter I was up front and didn't see any of it. The Nottingham team had probably been training together a bit more then us, we had a few people who I'd never seen before. We then had a problem when Wade our main half forward went down with an ankle injury, and then our starting Ruck also got injured. So I got moved into the middle. The Nottingham side were a couple of goals up at the and of the quarter.
Going into the second quarter we started playing well, and it ended up even at half time. During the second quarter we lost a few more, and I ended up in the middle of the ground roving. Which was great fun, and if I was fitter and better I'd like to play there all the time. I copped a boot in the eye during this quarter as well, which luckily didn't bleed so I stayed on. I remember it happening, but since it wasn't bleeding I just ignored it. It actually turned out that I had a black eye, some nice bruises next to the eye and scratches from there down on to my shoulder. At some point I'd gotten the ball in front of me, and someone bumped me over. While the ball was on the ground I grabbed it, and someone got knocked over/slung near me. So that's how the boots got near my eye to do the damage.
3rd quarter was Nottingham again. They'd started to shut down Clint who was our main player in the middle so they got ahead of us again. In the last quarter I started in the Ruck before moving into the forward line. Unfortunately we couldn't get up in the last quarter. I moved up to half forward to use my pace to get the ball from the middle, which worked well. Unfortunately I ended up on a big guy who still had some pace and knew how to use his body, so if he was anywhere near me he'd win the ball. But I made quite a few leads and got the ball ahead of him which was good.
So, highlights? Going out on a lead, getting the mark, and then kicking the ball forty yards onto the chest of the player I was aiming at. Yes, he missed the goal that may have brought us back into it, but I did my part and that's all I can do. Low point was when the ball came in to the 50, I was near it and challenged for it. I had enough time to go up for a two handed mark if I had of been willing to put my body on the line, but I chickened out and went for the one hander instead. It was a little leverage for Jeselenko moment....next time. Got to have something to improve I guess.
So after that game, we went out drinking, which was a fantastic night. Those photos are on facebook, not flickr, as I didn't take them. Great night out. Sunday was a barbecue with the team, and some serious Wii action. I finally got to play Guitar Hero 3, which was a fun game. Not fun enough to make me buy a Wii specifically for that. I've also played quite a bit of Mario Kart for the Wii. Strangely enough both games have made a sudden appearance in the house, as Rob and Michelle bought those games. You'd think at this point I'd stop being so busy considering I was going to Barcelona, but no such luck. Tuesday was Bristol City v Crystal Palace in a semi final to see who would go to the play off to get into the premier league. We got up in extra time, so Bristol City are playing Hull for the chance to go up. There's a very good chance whoever wins will be going straight back down, but I've got to cheer for my team. So I watched them after training, which was great. I'm looking forward to this Saturday to see if they can do it.
Wednesday was my first appearance at indoor football. It's just a bunch of people, so it's not terribly serious. Great fun, and it was great to have a kick around. Not as good as I was, but I haven't played in so long that it wasn't surprising.
Thursday was a game of Gaelic. This was time the opposition was much better, and I didn't get to see much of the ball. I wasn't confident running off my man, so next time I do it I'll have to take more risks to try and do more. We lost the game by 3 points I think. I had a chance to get a goal, but my shot ended up going wide from six yards out. It was a snap shot, so I didn't have time to line it up. I think I did alright, not brilliantly. I'm looking forward to playing again, hopefully there are a few games left, I'm not really sure if there are or not.
Then saturday was off to Barcelona. I'm tired, so I'm not going to write too much now. It was great, and if you've never been you need to go. I've put the photos on Flickr. Or at least the good ones. I will write more about the trip once I get a chance.
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