Division 1- white socks and Zebras

A strange disconnected day. Arriving late through misreading the roster, the ref telling the team he will not let them play with white socks - where are the away team black, superb diplomacy by Supercoach, a "feels like" temperature of 5 degrees, a barren windswept pitch beside the Funeral home, a car break-in in broad daylight, a Zebra goal before half time and some superb passing by Taroona in the midfield. Such was the introduction to Division 1. The team's history in Div 2 has been wiped from the internetosphere - thanks FFT. You show the wisdom and wit of those refs FIFA have imposed on the Socceroos. More vuvuzela to you I say.

The second half saw another Zebra goal after Joey the Imposing was clearly knocked off the ball while he had control of it - perhaps we havent read that page yet. A superb goal from Ben "I'm back" Wisby gave the zebras something to ponder for the rematch coming at Kelvedon. And afterwards we had the Ghana match to look forward to!

Next time we'll wear black socks.

Return to Ranelagh - a pleasant experience

Last year Taroona visited Ranelagh following a few wet weeks and played the local side in a swimming pool where dribbling caused a wake that could be surfed by the younger and lighter members of the team. A three nil half time deficit was recovered for a draw that influenced the final standings to the detriment of the locals. This was probably the most physical game all year.

Yesterday the return visit was anticipated with some trepidation.

In fact the game was a beauty - played between one team that dominated general play but could not convert and another that blitzed the first five minuted and went one up so that Taroona were always catching up. Taroona played far better than last week but lost by more - such is the way of the beautiful game.

Two more Huon goals put the result beyond doubt but a trademark steal from Zac saw the locals fearing another comeback - which was not to be.

Highlights were ball control from Ben Wisby, Willo Hunt imitating the wall in defence, brilliance from the Etheringtons and reliability from Angus - who wasn't distracted by his Dad doing a leg on the line in the second half.

Now for some rest and recreation during the school holidays - however, dark moves are afoot to change the makeup of the competitions and rule a line under the progress so far!

Once again Coach Geoff drew lessons for the school weary boys to ponder. His approach makes Paul Roos look like a bad tempered vein popper - he continues to draw the best from his group and it is only a matter of time before he gets the national job.

Some will think I'm joking!

Great First half - ordinary second half

Rather than a trip to Ranelagh we went to Prince of Wales Bay - under the Lutana hill. On arrival world traveller Peter Tathum exclaimed he was "in the sticks!" After acclimatizing to the ground next door - the Taroona undefeated Pirates found the right ground but played the first part of the first half like it was their own home ground. The Professor Jo Atkinson again used all the science required to lob the ball over the keeper's head for the first. Liam O'Donovan slotted a beauty after dominating his wing. But then some relaxation seemed to set in. The Imposing Joey saved the Tarrona bacon as the Glenorchy Knights rebuilt their game - ceaseless running, stout defence and the odd bout of pushing came to nought by half time.

The second half saw two goals scored quickly as the jousting continued - the Knights' game plan was now back in place. An interesting penalty decision - which saw our own twins engage in robust debate with the Ref - led to a third Knights' net. Double tagging the Taroona attackers closed down the counter thrusts.

From there the game deteriorated. Rather than possession and precision it was crash, bash and slam - the Taroona boys falling for the opposition game plan not their own.

Ever the teacher, the wise owl Geoff Supercoach calmly distilled the lessons from the game for the team like a master vigneron - teasing out the grapes of wisdom rather than those of wrath.

THIS week - the Ranelagh swimming pool!

5 Nil victory built on Goalkeeping

Taroona began it's cup campaign today against last week's victims Woodbridge. No doubt the Woodbridge Whalers stored up on salmon and ocean trout over the past week but it was to no avail. Taroona lost three players from last week - but still triumphed - this time 5 goals to nil.

Jack O'Sullivan scored two beauties, Jo Atkinson calculated wind direction, land speed, curvature of the earth and angles like a built in GPS device to punish the Woodbridge goalie, Ben Wisbey floated in a beauty and Zac received his long overdue reward for his striking play.

But none of these heroics would have counted without the masterful performance of the Imposing Joey - back in the goal after a half upfield last week. Joey was brilliant - attacking the ball as it came towards him on many occasions. The Woodbridge team had been strengthened during the week with the return of some key players and they made many chances up front - but none got past Joey who attacks in the most defensive of positions with the ferocity of a marauding viking without any of the ill-manners. Not only did he defend his goal - his kicking and throwing to attackers was great to watch on a beautiful Sunday afternoon at Kelvedon park.

Next week a trip the swimming pool at Ranelagh - watch the rain prepare the pitch!

Round 3 - Second Game - 7-Nil

Woodbridge produces the best smoked salmon in Tasmania. Woodbridge ocean trout poached in champagne is a signature dish in this house.

Woodbridge were welcomed back to the league - after an absence of some years in this division, with a poaching at Kelvedon Park. Into the teeth of a gusty breeze the Taroona boys showed salmon skills all of their own - keeping the ball low and finding the net - 4 times before half time.

With the breeze the Taroona boys feasted on another three majors (not sure what a minor is in this context) before finally snuffing out the challenge from the southerners.

Ben Wisby - two goals - reveled in his return to the team, James the artist Cherry bagged two and Liam O'Donovan - in his own boots - also scored two. Jack O'Sullivan made an early nomination for goal of the season - a lob which silently pierced the gap between keeper and cross bar while the crowd gaped.

Meanwhile, Supercoach Geoff stood by - encouraging democracy in the change rooms and urging his team on.

Geoff - the British people could do with your guiding hand now!

"It's much easier when the other team doesn't score!"

The thing about supercoach Geoff The Engineer Atkinson is his ability to make the deceptively simple thought a profound statement.

Without the Imposing Joey's keeping today the Taroona Pirates could not have played the free-flowing buildups that yielded a James The artist Cherry round one hat-trick and Ben The Bolter Wisby a welcome net on his return to the fold.

Supercoach Geoff was onto this early - he saw the team shake off the summer cobwebs and roll the Premiers in their first hit out for the year. Banished was the old Taroona - "here guys have a goal in the first thirty seconds" - game plan that led to the comeback scenarios that thrilled us in 2008.

Let's look forward to a great year.

Ambivalence

I am ambivalent about the Pakistan loss to Australia. It was so inevitable - once the Australians took the lead by more than 100 it was just about all over. I think it true that the Pakistan team lost rather than the Aussies win - clearly though the Aussies had to be there to win it.

Why am I ambivalent? This success will delay changes that I think are necessary. Mike Hussey should be dropped. He was lucky to get to three figures - he has been slow all summer and the Pakistan wicket keeper has made a big contribution to the continuation of Hussey's career. Ricky Ponting should bat elsewhere while he is injured. Michael Clarke and Marcus North cant get too many more chances - surely? (Except of course Michael Clarke is from New South Wales - and he has got many runs on the board).

For me the shining light was Nathan Hauritz - he looks out of place but keeps hanging in there. Clearly he hasn't let it go to his head either!

I think that the result proved Ponting made the right decision to bat - but if we had been playing South Africa the calls for his head might have been deafening by now.

The next test could be a real fizzer - what a pity the Pakistan team didn't win to make Hobart the decider.

Of course, we all look forward to the 20 over and 50 over games - that anticipation makes the Hobart test seem a bit pointless! I look forward to some forward thinking experimentation from the Aussie team - perhaps they will wear a different brand of sunscreen?