100% Record Continues

Vagrant - a person who wanders about idly and has no permanent home or employment; vagabond; tramp. 2. Law. an idle person without visible means of support, as a tramp or beggar. ... vagrant beggars.

It's an interesting concept to think of why you would term yourself as a 'vagrant' instead of a 'nomad' in a sporting sense. Particularly if your original birthplace or home is Luton. Perhaps in future we will be playing 'Luton Escapees' or 'the lucky Devils ex of the parish of Luton'

Whichever is true, whenever you play a one team club, you know the following is true; there will be at least one player who is far better than the standard, there will be an 'old boy' who was of a much better standard back in the day and the likelihood of a set of individuals rather than a 'team' as training is probably not much more than an afterthought. Much like ourselves then....

After the second team had come on their weekly raid of our squad (we all play for the club obviously, not just a team) we dipped into the development squad to unearth another rough diamond, polish it up and send it on its journey towards the first team. This week, it was another Rob.

Skipper decided to shift young Rob who has been playing right back all season to an incredibly high standard, to left back and replace him with younger Rob. This correspondent thought this was a bit risky bearing in mind the loss of Howie at the back, but how right it was proved to be.

We started positively, moving the ball around well and looking dangerous around the D. After a few initial forays we forced a couple of short corners and the keeper made a couple of decent saves. It then became clear that you can take the 'vagrant out of Luton' but it's a little trickier to remove the Luton from the vagrant. The team in black decided to argue the toss about every decision and give a running commentary. Clive and Renn enjoyed what is termed by the locals as 'bants' and it proved distracting enough for friends and foe alike as the hockey descended a little in quality.

However we kept plugging away and Renn drove the ball goalwards and Hiskens deflected the ball like the predatory striker he is. Shame the keeper hadn't bothered to move as it became clear that I'd actually just stopped Renn from scoring. In the ensuing melee I managed to jab the ball home and the new stick repaid itself on debut #striker

Shortly after the skipper went on one of his trademark mazy runs straight through the Luton Tramps back line and ignoring the clearly better placed Hiskens, greedily flicked past the custodian. To be fair, it was a good finish, but I would have bust a nut if he hadn't finished it...

We continued to look tres dangereux for the rest of the half and despite constant pressure couldn't add to our 2 goal advantage.

Incredibly, in the last 30 seconds of the half the Drifters of Bedfordshire forced a short corner and managed to open their account. With the whistle blowing immediately after the goal we went into the break only 2 - 1 up

Skipper Layfield took the opportunity to remind us all that we play as a team and win, lose or draw, the primary objective should always be to enjoy our hockey and be a welcome unit for all players (even those from the 2's in the unlikely event of anyone ever coming back the other way)

The second half saw a total demolition of the West Hitchin Transients. As we maintained our shape and discipline, continued passing around the opposition saw us slot 6 second half goals in with our defence breached only once

The rout started with James Berry notching his first of the afternoon and then Clive smashed home 2 on the bounce. Berry got in on the act again before an opposition retort. A swift cross from Younger Rob found Berry in front of goal again and in one of the most unselfish acts I've seen from a player on a hat-trick, he dummied the strike and left it for Clive to slot home for his own treble.

Clive then helped himself to a fourth against a, by now, demoralised opposition and the stags ran out comfortable 8 - 2 victors.

All round it was wonderful display with great performances from Clive up front alongside James Berry and a youthful back line of Rob, Rob and Sam marshalled superbly by Miles. Genuine pleasure to play in and the opposition should be congratulated for their sporting acknowledgement of our display

A marvellous chilli was served up by the skipper, surely the benchmark of quality we should all aspire to

Mom was Rob Holman

Dod was Renn

Kudos to whomever took the video footage of the evenings activities.....