Bristol Barelys 2 - 2 Barely Bristols
A smattering of recollections from the latest Barely run-out with the Bristols supplied by John Rossetti. The teams were mixed, so everyone was a winner - or, everyone drew, in this case.
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When we arrived there was just a smattering of Barely’s, we wondered if there would be many Bristol’s.
Then they just kept coming. Not just a few Bristol’s (they are a 7-aside team) but a full M&S brassiere department full. In the end there were 17 of them. We had 7, so with the help of both team captains (Mike did the biz for us as usual) we ended up with a 12-aside game!
Apparently they had a new recruit who was so unable to cope with this shocking sight she left at some point in tears. Hope she will be brought back in – it must have been very different from expectations.
So even with us extending the pitch (the big pitch being occupied by another women’s game in their same league) it was very busy which gave a low scoring game, ending up 2-2. We played until the lights were switched off at almost 9.30, so despite a late start it was well over an hour. The game ebbed from one to the other, but John Trimble switched sides near the end to help even things up, as Paul was threatening (with the help of some of their key and skilful players) to run away with it.
So to lots of shaking of hands and a great experience had by all. Many of us then retired to the Lazy Dog.
Various good conversations followed. We (Barely) chose their ‘woman of the match’. A great and strong defender and midfielder, also deliberately not a previous man of the match, name escapes me but others will recall. (Sorry I had quite lost it by then and was on to strong cider!).
They selected the totally unique John Trimble, although by then in absentia, as our Man (Woman, Person, Lady?) of the match. While great conversations evolved and one of their previous team turned up now with young child (others with their wives), we did discover some interesting facts.
Firstly one of their team works as an engineer and geologist on North Sea oil rigs. As she said, being also black, she ‘ticks all the diversity boxes!’ We were enthralled by the stories of great hardship endured in this unnatural environment.
The other bit of info was the bird they have as their team motto. Being a bird bore, I knew it as a sea bird, related to the gannet, that occurs in the Pacific off South America. I know, by now you will have guessed it, as you are so knowledgeable. Yes, it is the Blue-footed Booby!
