The Hottest Game Ever - Dallas Pitch 4

This afternoon the Knights stepped out onto field 4 to play Team Dallas. The sun was beating down at what we later found out to be 90+ degree heat. Obviously this played into the Texans hands with remarks from the opposition that it was like spring weather! With the excessive heat the officials were forced to implement a water break timeout in the first half.

The Knights started just like their historic counterparts, weighted down in chain-mail in the midday sun, sluggish and unable to strike any blows in the attack and back to playing too much defence, Dallas quickly shot to a 6-0 lead. The heat was clearly having an effect on the players and with Cam Parks sat out with suspected heat stroke half time couldn't come soon enough. But a life-line was thrown to the Knights with a well finished move created by Ryan Hunns and finished by Dane Carney. Half time 6-1, Game on...

With some strong words at half time from the coaches, the start of the second half couldn't be any more of a contrast from the first. Off the face, which was proving to be more of a challenge in this game, Matt Collier picked up a great ground ball ran the ball down on the break and assisted Josh Kinder who started his Knights tally with a well placed inside shot.

With some momentum the team picked up the game where they left off after the morning and with the defence now working in a unit, the pressure forced Dallas into a mistake. Off the side-line Jonny Clowes split open the Dallas midfield and picked out Dane Carney who off the fast break found Jake Weddell who assisted Josh Kinder for his second in quick succession.

Feeling the pressure Dallas started giving up penalties and from the man-up a well found feed from Toby (I don't tidy my room) Hawksley picked out Ryan Hunns who made the game 6-4. Continuing the trend the Knights drew more penalty flags and Jake Weddell opened his Knights account assisted by Dane Carney wheeling round the corner and finishing well.

With the Knights fighting their way back into the game, the 6 on 6 play now seemed effortless and gaps were opening up in the Dallas defence. Ryan Hunns took a dodge and cooly passed to Dane Carney who proved yet agian that inside finishing is his fortay. Now at 6-6, the Knights proved their character and how they are such a great bunch of players to coach.

With 5 minutes to play the Knights found themselves on the receiving end of questionable decisions and were down to firstly a 5 man zone which they successfully shut-out upon and then a further 4 man zone which Dallas converted on. Under the pressure again the team pulled together and a great individual effort from Lewis Curtis found the back of the net an tied the game upfor a second time. 7-7.



With less than a minute remaining, the rollacoster of a game took a familiar turn and Dallas sadly nicked the winner, running out of time and trying to get the ball back the clock ran out and another lesson learn't, this truely was a game of two halves.

We returned to the oasis that is the air conditioned gym and then on our return to the dorms we had the lads take the coldest shower they could for 5 mins..................lots of screams!

Goals
Josh Kinder 2
Dane Carney 2
Ryan Hunns 1
Jake Weddell 1
Lewis Curtis 1

Assists
Ryan Hunns 2
Dane Carney 1
Toby Hawksley 1
Jake Weddell 1
Matt Collier 1

We are off now to play our last game, determined to get our on-field victory, but with so many lessons learnt this week and so many positive comments received from the other teams, there is no doubt that the trip has been a resounding success. Posting back later....