Another game and despite a valiant defence, another loss! The positives are that the boys kept battling and the sun was shining. We couldn’t ask for a better backdrop for ‘colds’ – the beach at Paraparaumu is beautiful. It could be said that some of the boys ran faster to get out of the water once their time was up than they as on the pitch, but that would be a bit mean!
Day 1 of the India Rankin Cup and not a great start for the Hilly Boys. Despite dominating possession they didn’t manage to score and Bethlehem took the chances they had and won. In the afternoon the boys played really well, much better than this morning, but were simply outclassed. Gus came away with a pulled ligaments after rolling his ankle in a collision with one 9fcthe STACs players. Hopefully he will be able to play later in the week.
In between games we went for a drive round the bays and wandered a bit. I love the bright yellow of these oxalis against the bluebird springtime sky.
On the road to Wellington today to go and watch Aonghas play hockey at tournament week. A beautiful day to travel. Stunning views as we drove along Lake Taupō, along the desert road and down through the Wairarapa.
The sun was out today but there was a biting wind down at the hockey turf.
A wild, wet, windy, sunny, rainbow day in the Waikato. Typical winter, four seasons in one day sort of day. Perfect for spring cleaning and watching (or playing) two games of hockey. This is from the second game. Gus had already scored twice in his first game and of course, we missed what appears to have been the goal of the season… Solo dribble past three players, one on one with goalie and.. Boom!..in the net! No goals in this game but a solid performance from the boy!
A cleaning out the garage sort of day… We can now actually walk from one side to the other without having to step over stuff! Two hockey matches for Gus today. The sun set whilst he played the first – a stunning winter sky.
Caught up with housework today – quite cathartic once I got into it. Escaped to watch Gus play hockey in the rain. The second of his two matches today and it was a good game. Close fought but they snatched a draw from the jaws of victory… the other team equalised in the final minute!
Back to work. Plenty of catching up to do. It was a grey day out there and most of it was spent at the computer.
Hockey tonight was the 3rd 4th play offs and it ended in a draw.
A day’s leave today and I went to Rosehill College with the Hillcrest High School sports teams to support them at the annual sports exchange. A productive day out with HHS retaining the shield. I was essentially there with the hockey team but it could also be counted as my first official duty as a BOT member! This photo is the 1st XI boys doing a selfie (grelfie!?) to send to one of the players who had just had his appendix out! 6-1 win
Home for a day! Gus suggested I should start paying hotel fees when I come home…
We dropped him off at hockey then went for lunch. Date time with Nigel! Good to spend time together. Then I went to watch the last part of the second game Aonghas was due to play. Unfortunately, he had been hit on the shoulder with a ball and couldn’t play. Already a nasty bruise and sore to move but it will work it’s way through a range of colours before it’s done!
