Men 2's win away (3-2). Hatrick Henry sends 2's Top !!

Match Report by Nick Jephson

“All the world's an astro”

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.

On a somewhat tempestuous day, the stage was set for another enthralling encounter at Royal Wootton Bassett. A squad of 13 merry men from Marlborough arrived ready to play their part; and we warmly welcomed the return of Bassett’s Quick Emotional Forward (QEF) and new character, entrance stage right …. up front, Windsock Willy, who’s novel cocked bonnet provided ample warning of the frequent squalls battering the sandy pitch.

Alas our illustrious leader Andy had to retire early in the first act following a brave and selfless act of defence that saw Windsock Willy execute a pirouette pass directly into Andy’s left hand, a clean break of the middle finger. Then there were twelve. Having passed on his sagely wisdom at the interval, Andy exited to hospital. We wish him well.

Not content with nobbling one Marlborough player, Windsock Willy went on to disable another. The ball was launched from deep in the Bassett half up towards the Marlborough defence. Jephson and Windsock raced to the ball. Willy got there first, by going through Jephson’s right kidney.

At first, the infant, Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.

Jephson winced and rolled about a bit until Nurse Fynn put a stop to the unnecessary histrionics. Jephson exit, less a pound of flesh. Windsock Willy received 5min in the bin. Then there were eleven.

Then the whining schoolboy, with his satchel and shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school.

Henry Nicholson many have started the game a schoolboy but he played many pivotal parts, ending it a hero. There was nothing unwilling about his first goal. Marlborough had been probing the right flank with Rob Hues, Dan Crossman, Rich Fynn and Gareth Playfair linking together with élan and alacrity to unpick the Bassett defences. It was one such foray up the right that led to a crisp cross that found Henry just behind the p spot alert and eager to fire it home 1-0.

The lead was short lived.

Basset worked the ball up the pitch with strong midfield play. QEF received the ball in the D and made no mistake. 1-1.

Gareth made several incisive runs towards Bassett’s D and could easily have notched up a couple of goals with one narrowly missing strike and another well saved drag flick.

And then the lover, Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad made to his mistress' eyebrow.

Marlborough’s second was the best of the day. Short, quick passes characterised the build-up through midfield to Gareth, who neatly shipped the ball on to Jamie Williams. Next, in a lover’s waltz, Jamie and Henry ran interlocking spirographical lines towards the top of the D, beating the Bassett defence with a couple of well-timed one-two’s. Jamie just had the goal keeper to beat but selflessly squared to ball to Henry, who slapped it home. 2-1 up as the whistle blew for half time.

Half Time – Andy was last seen trudging off to hospital to get his finger straightened and enjoy the rugby in the A&E waiting room!

Meanwhile, back where the real action was taking place, a few minutes later, Bassett fired a ball in from the 25. In pinballed about a bit before QEF got the final nibble goalward bound. 2-2.

Then a soldier, Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation, Even in the cannon's mouth.

The remainder of the second half was a battle of attrition. All twelve players (at that stage) worked hard, tackled hard and maintained a status quo. But to pick out a couple of noteworthy performances: Rich Newton’s full stretch dive to his right, deflecting a well struct reverse stick rising shoot over the bar, was the stuff of legends. Mike Debney, Dan Dix, Keith Radnedge and Lewis Davies all put in gladiatorial defence but Rob Hues was a colossus, swatting away would be marauders. Not even Windsock Willy could chink the armour of this soldier.

And then the justice, In fair round belly with good capon lined,
With eyes severe and beard of formal cut, Full of wise saws and modern instances;
And so he plays his part.

Justice came with 3 minutes to go. A nondescript build-up found the ball at Henry’s stick in the D once again. With moxie, Henry moved it initially to his reverse then back to his forehand creating just enough room send to ball somewhat splutteringly to the right of the keeper. 3-2.

The sixth age shifts into the lean and slippered pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose and pouch on side;
His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide
For his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again toward childish treble, pipes and whistles in his sound.

It was left to Rich, Rob and other wise experienced folk to hold on to the ball and see the game out to the final whistle.

Last scene of all, That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.

Keith Radnedge played his part well too ;-)

Post-performance tea at the Crosskeys was most welcome and we were fortunate to be present at the Bassett awards; BAFTA to QEF and squashed tomato to Windsock Willy.

MAN OF THE MATCH: For our part (Rich and Rob came a close second) our undoubted man of the match, Jonny May like, is HENRY NICHOLSON. Well played.

AFTERNOTE: Marlborough 2’s go top of the league after 1st and 3rd both lost to their opposition.