Well, what a game on Saturday! The Orcas were playing Metro Lions. They were short a couple so we gave them Harry, second best player and one of only two goal scorers in the team. The other coach was pretty impressed that he was subbed someone who was clearly a good player. And then the game. Joseph, the Pele of the team, and Harry were all over the place. I reckon Harry had about 60% of the ball when the Lions were in possession. Joseph took his time and got a goal in the first half, putting us up 1-0 at half time. There were red-faced boys everywhere, the game was up and down the field. I was knackered myself from following them around. Lots of them were becoming on-field spectators, having a little rest now and then. Then, in the second half, Rory got the ball in the clear, one person between him and the goal. He managed to get around them, although it wasn't easy, and with one opponent on his heels, it took two or three more kicks to get his first GOAL!!!! I was pretty happy, he was too. It made me very proud, to say the least. Diana said she could see me beaming from the sideline. I have to say I didn't hide my emotion very well (ran across the field, high five, managed to stop short of throwing him in the air) His friend Ryan had a really good game, keeping things going in the midfield and doing what we had trained earlier in the week, so he got the player of the day. Will be Rory's turn soon. Towards the end of the game, Adam was a crumpled heap on the ground, I went over to him and asked if he was okay. "Can't we stop now?" was the plaintive whimper. They were all knackered. Harry took the Orcas to the closest they have ever come to conceding a goal, about two feet from the goal mouth. He had a really good game playing against the rest of the team. It was good practice for them to have such a tough game, prepare them for the team that will score goals. Final score was 2-0, closest result we have had so far. We told Rory he could do anything that he wanted after the game, so we went to Macdonald's and he had four hash browns and a muffin. Been eating a lot lately, he has. The whole team is going to Macdonald's next Saturday after the game, for a team building exercise.
Three games, haven't conceded a goal, they are doing really well. Have to keep reminding them about defence, although that did get tested on the weekend. At one point, they kicked the ball straight in front of their own goal from a goal kick, luckily Joseph was onto it and got to about half way before anyone caught him but that was a bit scary.
Now onto the less important sports. In rugby, the Blues narrowly beat the Otago Highlanders, and the Canterbury Crusaders narrowly beat the Coastal Sharks. All kiwi final at Eden Park next weekend. Not going, although now I think I would like to a little.
We have been getting dorked by the Australians in the netball, although they came back in the second half on Saturday night. The captain is useless. She was put on the bench for most of the second half.
The Gal Blacks apparently hate that name, they are going to be the Golden Ferns. What crap.
Some progress in the Ben and Olivia case, no arrest yet but they say they know who did it they are just manufacturing some evidence. Continuing controversy with Police and Firefighters.
Went to see US Marshalls the other night, not a bad movie, in fact quite good. Helps if you have seen the Fugitive.
Went to Hammerheads for lunch on Saturday for Tracey's 37th birthday. Was also 11th anniversary of me and Diana meeting. Food was okay but not spectacular. Saw Cath and Don (Mum), sat next to them and had a chat.
Have to think of a sensible way of making the house a little bit bigger. Seems to be a long shot at this stage. Also only a month until we go to the Gold Coast for a little holiday. Weather is getting colder but rain hasn't really happened that much so far, fingers crossed.
The Things They Say
Last night at the dinner table, I was misbehaving (spitting kinder surprise eggs across the table) and Hannah told me off. She stood on her chair and pretended to beat me on the head.
I said "Is this what Mummy does when you are naughty and I'm not home"
"No, Penny!" Hannah says "with a stick!"
On that basis I think I will be careful not to leave Penny alone with the kids from now on.
25 May 1998
18 May 1998
Another week another win -18/05/98
I suppose I shouldn't say that otherwise we will lose the next ten games. But the Western Springs Orcas won their game away against Ellerslie on Saturday 6-0. The kids have improved noticeably since the last game and they all contributed. The two goal-scorers continued their domination of the scoreboard, although others did take a shot at goal (including Rory). Have to work on throw-ins, a couple got hit by the ball when they weren't watching. A few other areas need practice, including defence which is still not getting used much except during our five a side practices. They did improve markedly during training last week after we had tried defence. Joseph is like a little Pele, races from his own goalmouth with the ball and scores at the other end. Slides in to take the ball off the other team (not tackling his own team, this is important, as some do). Hard to tell the kid not to score so often (scored 4 of the 6). Kids were all well behaved, and I was actually a bit tired after running up and down the field for half an hour. So far we have scored 9 goals and conceded none. We must be due to get our arses kicked soon. The main thing is they keep enjoying themselves.
In the less important sport, the NZ Women won the Rugby World Cup in the Netherlands, Auckland beat the Hurricanes in an orgy of try scoring, the Otago Highlanders won their game in SA then watched the QL Reds lose so they play Auckland in the semi. Canterbury beat the Sharks in SA, now face them in the final but at Lancaster Park this time. Three NZ teams in the semis, not Aussie teams. Both the Chiefs and Hurricanes did relatively well all things considered. Arsenal won the FA Cup Final, which I watched some of, now that I am a coach I need to see what the others are doing with their teams.....
Took the family to the new Philips Aquatic Centre at Mt Albert Grammar. A Pirate theme in the kids area with all sorts of interesting decorations. The main pool has a soft gradient like a beach, and a wave maker that goes for about 10 minutes every half hour. Kids loved surfing up the beach on inner tubes. We were all a bit knackered after that (I went to the gym beforehand). We went down to the school later and let them run around and I climbed a tree (really cool for climbing, dead easy).
The budget was read this week. Petrol up a bit, ciggies up a bit, nobody liked it. The lesbian goat herders from Dannevirke felt that there should have been something in it for lesbian goat herders from Dannevirke. The unemployed morons with gambling problems thought there should have been something in it for lesbian goat herders from Dannevirke (I told you they were morons). You get the idea, same as every other year. All in all, seemed reasonably sensible and responsible to me, but may not be enough to get things going too quickly around the place.
They found something in the Ben and Olivia thing the other day, thought it was a body, turned out to be a sail. They are still searching the area with sonar and deep sea stuff. Too much fuss if you ask me, still I suppose they need to talk about something.
Major scraps going on with Firefighters and Police are coming.
Catch you all in another week.
In the less important sport, the NZ Women won the Rugby World Cup in the Netherlands, Auckland beat the Hurricanes in an orgy of try scoring, the Otago Highlanders won their game in SA then watched the QL Reds lose so they play Auckland in the semi. Canterbury beat the Sharks in SA, now face them in the final but at Lancaster Park this time. Three NZ teams in the semis, not Aussie teams. Both the Chiefs and Hurricanes did relatively well all things considered. Arsenal won the FA Cup Final, which I watched some of, now that I am a coach I need to see what the others are doing with their teams.....
Took the family to the new Philips Aquatic Centre at Mt Albert Grammar. A Pirate theme in the kids area with all sorts of interesting decorations. The main pool has a soft gradient like a beach, and a wave maker that goes for about 10 minutes every half hour. Kids loved surfing up the beach on inner tubes. We were all a bit knackered after that (I went to the gym beforehand). We went down to the school later and let them run around and I climbed a tree (really cool for climbing, dead easy).
The budget was read this week. Petrol up a bit, ciggies up a bit, nobody liked it. The lesbian goat herders from Dannevirke felt that there should have been something in it for lesbian goat herders from Dannevirke. The unemployed morons with gambling problems thought there should have been something in it for lesbian goat herders from Dannevirke (I told you they were morons). You get the idea, same as every other year. All in all, seemed reasonably sensible and responsible to me, but may not be enough to get things going too quickly around the place.
They found something in the Ben and Olivia thing the other day, thought it was a body, turned out to be a sail. They are still searching the area with sonar and deep sea stuff. Too much fuss if you ask me, still I suppose they need to talk about something.
Major scraps going on with Firefighters and Police are coming.
Catch you all in another week.
12 May 1998
Rory's First Soccer Game, Built a Submarine out of Cardboard - 12/05/98
The Blues will have a home semi and final by the look of it. Canterbury could have a home semi if they win against the Sharks this weekend otherwise they will stay on to play the Sharks in the Semi over there. Otago or the Chiefs could make it into the semis but only if the Reds lose next weekend to ACT. Watched bugger all of the games because they were mostly in SA. Got very bored with the fuss about Luis Luyt being pushed out of SARFU.
Auckland Hooker Paul Mitchell broke his leg on a jetski yesterday. "Bloody yuppies" is the general feeling elsewhere.
Otago Rebels beat the Southern Sting in the netball final. Our women's Rugby team (the Elle Blacks) are doing well and we may get the semi and final televised (not live). Stupid really, now that TV One has virtually none of the main sport they could at least do the Women's sport in things like Rugby and Cricket (where they win more than the men).
Power cut in CBD on Sunday when an oil-filled cable caught fire (always a bad sign). Still some backup capacity but Mercury are doing their best to need it.
Couple of geysers popped up in Rotorua outside people's houses (inside would have been interesting).
So, as you know, the Soccer team won on Saturday. They were very well behaved and played well. No defence was needed at our end, but the other team defended well on occasion. Could have easily been 5-0. They were so happy (as was I), it was great. Heaps of parents and other relatives watching the game (about 80 is my guess). Guess the numbers will be down a bit for their next game (away). When asked, Rory says "The good guys won and the baddies lost". Training again tonight.
Did the big garden dig on Saturday afternoon, now I have to decide what to plant. Maybe cauliflowers and potatoes. Even courgettes gone now.
Built a submarine for the kids on Sunday, with a periscope that goes around and up and down. Interesting to see how many days before it "disappears". (It is about 1.3 metres high and takes up a lot of space in the lounge). Will let the kids paint it next weekend.
Did breakfast on Sunday for Mother's Day, repaired a window at Elsie's house, then Diana spent a fair time working on something (a price list for Stanley Tools). She spent most of the weekend doing it.
Sort of organised to go to Surfers for a week in June, should be a nice little break for the family. The place we think we are going has a gym so that is okay.
No kayaking yet but next weekend I will or go purple.
Auckland Hooker Paul Mitchell broke his leg on a jetski yesterday. "Bloody yuppies" is the general feeling elsewhere.
Otago Rebels beat the Southern Sting in the netball final. Our women's Rugby team (the Elle Blacks) are doing well and we may get the semi and final televised (not live). Stupid really, now that TV One has virtually none of the main sport they could at least do the Women's sport in things like Rugby and Cricket (where they win more than the men).
Power cut in CBD on Sunday when an oil-filled cable caught fire (always a bad sign). Still some backup capacity but Mercury are doing their best to need it.
Couple of geysers popped up in Rotorua outside people's houses (inside would have been interesting).
So, as you know, the Soccer team won on Saturday. They were very well behaved and played well. No defence was needed at our end, but the other team defended well on occasion. Could have easily been 5-0. They were so happy (as was I), it was great. Heaps of parents and other relatives watching the game (about 80 is my guess). Guess the numbers will be down a bit for their next game (away). When asked, Rory says "The good guys won and the baddies lost". Training again tonight.
Did the big garden dig on Saturday afternoon, now I have to decide what to plant. Maybe cauliflowers and potatoes. Even courgettes gone now.
Built a submarine for the kids on Sunday, with a periscope that goes around and up and down. Interesting to see how many days before it "disappears". (It is about 1.3 metres high and takes up a lot of space in the lounge). Will let the kids paint it next weekend.
Did breakfast on Sunday for Mother's Day, repaired a window at Elsie's house, then Diana spent a fair time working on something (a price list for Stanley Tools). She spent most of the weekend doing it.
Sort of organised to go to Surfers for a week in June, should be a nice little break for the family. The place we think we are going has a gym so that is okay.
No kayaking yet but next weekend I will or go purple.
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