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Willy Schoppe posted on May 25, 2008 20:53
The games between the Red Devilz and the Sun Strikers do promise a lot on paper; generally the teams go toe to toe and blow for blow. The last official encounter in the 2007 season ended in a sweaty draw.
Not so this Saturday; the Sun Strikers muscled up and tore into the Devilz like there was no tomorrow and deservedly took the points and bragging rights for the 2008 season. The final score of 5-Nil is anecdotal only; the fact remains that, on the day, the better team won, comprehensively.
The Devilz were wounded but not mortally shot. On Sunday they awoke to a new day a new (lease of) life and they were feeling good. A 9 O’clock kick off at the Papakura 10th grade one-day tournament awaited them and, admittedly, this coach was wondering, which Devilz’s team would turn up…
Well this coach wasn’t left wondering for too long. Papakura City a pretty useful 10th grade side with some 1st division experience form last year was to be the testing first up opponent of the Devilz (and friend). The tournament format was promising Rock’n Roll football, with two 12 min. halves and three games at the group stage before teams advanced to cup, plate and consolation finals. Prior to kick-off the Papakura Team was lining up early and as the Devilz arrived you could see the intensity in the Papakura players’ eyes.
The Devilz were nonchalant. They lined up next to their opponents and when the referee ask the players onto the pitch a memorable Rock’n Roll show was about to be unveiled. 21 hours after arguably their most miserable defeat yet, the Devilz were back! In a funtastic display of power, speed and precision the Devilz disposed of the Papakura City team 5-Nil, courtesy of some crisp passing, hard running and powerful finishing.
If ever a team needed to find a pick-me-up, the Devilz had just struck the jack-pot. The remainder of the tournament proved to be a challenge of endurance and skill, some of the football on show was simply outstanding, the crème de la crème of AFF and US1 10th grade football had gathered and the Devilz were put through some tough work-outs. In reaching the consolation semi-finals the Devilz did well, matching the achievements of last year’s division one winners the Papakura MacAttacks.
The day in the sun was well worth to be had, amongst a lot of fun and games it put prove to the fact that there’s still plenty of life left in these Devilz and the season to come. Roll on stage two!
A special thank you form the Devilz to Tommy ‘Zippy’ D, living proof that the love for the game knows no boundaries, lending his ‘sunny’ services and skills for this day to our team. Thanks, brother.
On another note;
We wish to thank Caltex and Lynda for supporting our team on match-days again this year with plenty of goodies for the player of the day –Thanks Caltex-.
The Devilz’ motto “… the Sky’s the limited!”