Wow! What an atmospheric, high-energy, high volume tournament.

The Newent v KOBRA element created a some terrific tribal banter. With all the shouting and jeering, I was hoarse before round one was complete. Steve quipped that "In Newent no one can hear you scream!" I swear I couldn't even hear myself scream at times!!!!
Come on KOBRA!!!!Round #1
Garry C,7,James B,3,
Martin B,0,Garry C,4,
Garry C,2,Robert S,5,
Steve E,5,Garry C,5,
Garry C,3,Nick H,1,My tourney certainly started a bang! I was the
Beard killer!!!!!!! Despite James taking a 2-0 lead with his first two shots, I maintained my focus to claw myself back into the game. Admittedly I was rescued by a corner routine (enjoyed the post tourney corner sharing sess btw) but even with that aside, the goals just flowed for me, and I claimed my first ever win over the mighty James B

. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, it did! Of course I benefited from Martin's 2-year sabbatical as he was still re-discovering his shooting form when we fplayed but I was nevertheless grateful to clock up my second victory in two games!

I knew I'd have to be at the top of my game to have any hope of taking anything out of Robert's match. After his recent runner-up position by virtue of GD, there was a steely determination about Robert this evening - he was focused and taking his chances like a professional to outgun me 5-1! In my second 10-goal thriller of the evening, it ended honours even, 5-5, against Mr Evil. Just when I'd take the lead, Steve would keep coming back, and in particularly evil-style he took the lead for the first time 5-4 with less than a minute to go. I might have felt a little unfortunate to have lost this game so was thrilled to snatch an 10+ minute equiliser. What a game! My round was completed by an anything but emphatic win over Nick. I was glad I got 3 early goals because after that Nick was doing much of the pressing. At 3-1 I was certainly under the kosh and had Nick made it 2-3, I reckon he would have claimed his first points of the evening. Hard luck man.
At the half-way stage I must point that the dream was very much alive. In first place was Steve E and I was in second - could KOBRA do it again, we wondered ? Much to Newent's displeasure we milked the moment of course! heheRound #2
James B,3,Garry C,2,
Garry C,0,Martin B,6,
Robert S,3,Garry C,2,
Garry C,3,Steve E,3,
Nick H,1,Garry C,5,Unfortunately for me, my tourney was beginning to back-fire! Another cracking battle against James was decided by a moment of attacking class that saw James' striker pounding down the inside right channel, just a pixel ahead of my defender, before turning and shooting and swerving the ball across my goalie and inside the far post. Damn that was b*stard good goal!

The guy I'd played earleir certainly wasn't him but by the second round, Martin B was back! 0-6 and I could barely touch the ball for long periods, this was a total victory with absolutely no complaints from me. An extremely impressive runner-up spot and your return tourney but don't leave it two years till your next time mate!!! Despite my Beard bashing, I was nevertheless determined to stop the rot but next up was Robert!!! By this stage he wanted this title big time and no one was going to stop him tonight. Even my Cox limped off the pitch after Rob's before half-time but still I battled on. Sadly it was a case of so close but so far but a single goal defeat against Rob is never a disgrace. Congrats Robert on a fine tournament win tonight

Don't think, however, you'll have a 100% record against KOBRA next time !!!! Whereas in the first round I would have felt unfortunate to lose, in this match I felt very fortunate to draw. Despite making it 3-3 with not long to go, Steve was putting the pressure on BIG TIME! I don't quite know how but I did not one but TWO slidetackle blocks on goal bound shots in injury time. I was as much shocked and pleased to have clung on the point. Nevertheless, Steve E still put in a solid performance tonight achieving a brillaint bronze position.

My evening began with a visit to McDonalds and suitably my tourney ended with a match against FourFries. Despite coming last tonight, I never took our matches lightly, and I gather it was your best scoring tourney so far. It's easy to overlook your progress but don't forget there was some scary players in the league tonight!
Thanks especially to James but also to everyone for making it a very memorable first Newent experience for me - I look forward to the next. You might say that Newent Punished KOBRA but although this battle may be lost, the war continues.....
Must also thank Stevio for the driving - much appreciated matey (esp. that you got me back in one piece

)! We certainly continued the tradition of eventful KOA journeys. First we drove
past the McDs drive-
thru 
and later we somehow played chicken with a lorry on the motorway!

It looked as if the motorway was reducing down from 3 to 2 lanes whereas in fact it was reducing from 3 to 1!!! Fortunately the lorry clocked this before us by driving on the hardshoulder to accomodate us but his thoughtfulness nearly lead him to crashing as he suddenly had to veer back on the motorway when he realised the hardshoulder itself was coming to an end. Fortunately all's well that ends well and no one was hurt. What a night!
