Sport

Irons' brew too hot for school

February 17 - 23, 2010
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The Expat League staged some excellent individual performances at the British School in Hamala along with two games of contrasting results.

As the weeks go by, the footballers are fighting even harder for points and the chance to get their hands on the coveted GulfWeekly Premiership Trophy.

Last Monday night's first match saw the Rugby Club pitted against St Christopher's School. The Rugby Club fielded a weakened team due to injury problems and St Chris, in contrast, had a strengthened squad due to returning players.

The game was played in a hard and fast pace with some heavy challenges going in from both sides. St Chris took an early lead against what many pundits consider as the champions-in-waiting. The Rugby Club players were also surprised at the pace and good tackling from their opponents.

The Rugby Club, however, soon got into their stride mid-way through the first half with two quick goals with Adil and Austin getting on the score sheet. Just before half time St Chris conceded a third, only this time it was an own goal.

In the second half St Chris again applied the pressure with accurate passing and timely shots on goal which were well saved by Sean Cooper.

With time running out the school side scored again to ensure that the last few minutes were fast, furious and frantic as they pressed for the equaliser. However, the final score remained 3-2 in favour of Rugby Club.

The second match was remarkable for an outstanding individual performance by British Club captain Matt Irons who scored six in an 8-0 rout of the British School.

Despite the score line, the game was evenly fought for long periods. The main issues being the British School couldn't take their chances ... and Irons took all of his!

Irons said: "I'm well pleased with the double hat-trick, even though most were gifts from their defence and in all honesty I had my eyes closed when shooting in the other three!"

Irons aside, the teams were evenly balanced with some pathetic defending accounting for most of the British Club dismal showing and a number of outstanding saves by Steve in the British Club goal flattering the eventual winners and accounting for the sensational scroeline.

According to Irons the British Club's strength lies in their manager, Raj Puhuja, who is tactically astute. Irons said: "In the last game he made a number of positive on-field decisions that influenced the result of the game. If the team can continue to apply his tactics then we stand a really good chance of doing well in the league."

League chairman Paul Millington wanted to make a special mention of Owen Coll who somehow managed to miss an open goal from one yard out. His blushes were spared by the performance of his captain and teammates.

The league continued this week with Wahoo against Dilmun Club and the Jurassics against the Saar Eagles.







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