Editorial
Apologies for the slight delay in this latest edition of the club magazine – no real excuses, just a slight change in ‘editorship’! Many thanks to Conor for the helpful advice in shaping this issue and for all his previous work on the magazine.
Some good stuff in this edition: there’s an article on November’s Dart Weekend (which oddly doesn’t feature the Dart at all!), an article about the Upper Dart (which doesn’t feature much paddling at all!), some high water antics on the Usk and a polo league and tactical update.
As always, more articles are required though!
Thanks – Jon Kerswell
Membership
Also enclosed is a current club membership list. If your name isn’t on the list, then your membership has lapsed and you should renew immediately using the form at the back of the magazine. Otherwise, you’ll no longer receive any further communication from the club.
If you have any questions about membership, please contact the Membership Secretary, Lisa Gunton
Correspondence from the North – Dart Weekend, Dec 2005
See report by Mike Millington here.
Fun and games on the Upper Dart
See report by Jon Kerswell here.
New Year in North Wales
See report by Mark Aplin here.
The Usk in Flood
See report by Conor O’Neill here.
Fun and games on the Upper Dart II
See report by Jon Kerswell here.
Aging Polo Player Syndrome
Well it’s struck again, APPS has hit one of our Polo teams most experienced players Mr Simon Reid. Rather surprisingly in Simon’s case, APPS struck whilst playing polo in the January Div 4 tournament when a kayak inadvertently collided with his ribs. So our list of APPS victims includes:
1. Simon Reid – broken ribs
2. James Sheader – broken wrist
3. Tony Barrass – slipped disc
4. Harvey Lyons – trapped nerve
5. Jenny – in process of producing the next generation of BCC polo player
6. Me – brain abscess
7. Rob Hignall – keeps disappearing for long periods of time to France, Bath and Poland!
8. Lee Nicholls – “totally unfit”
9. Lisa Gunton – Judas syndrome whilst playing for Avon!
Well okay, the final three are not so serious, apart from the last where of course any Bristol Player absconding to Avon is considered a National disgrace!!!!
Back to the polo, and Wednesday night has seen a little bit of a revival now most of us realise that Polo starts at 7-55pm, and continues to 8-59pm. This means we can get 6 games of around 9 minutes each, so our water time has increased. As usual, please try to arrive early so we can get teams sorted, kit allocated, and the games started promptly at 7-55pm.
Also great to see some new players (Reg, Dave from Octipush, and one or two others whose names I apologise for not remembering) have graduated from our beginner’s sessions, and are already starting to get some decent ball time.
Polo – Div 4 League
Under the careful leadership of our Captain Harvey (???), results from our last tournament are promising, as we drew 2, won 2, and lost one game. The point being the team has changed over the last 18 months, and we now have a strong backbone of regular players. Let’s hope this growth continues next year, and we can enter a “Pussycat” team as well.
Currently, the Pitbulls have climbed to the heady position of third in the league, but of course we have played more games. Still it’s points on the board that count!
Polo Rule Focus
Some of you maybe be aware that the Pitbulls have not being particularly good at penalties; or at least Captain Harvey has been poor at taking penalties! So to help fill the magazine and idle some time away, here are some points to consider when penalised.
A penalty can be awarded in three situations, and in each case the fouling player will almost certainly receive at least a yellow card.
1. For a foul on an attacker whilst shooting or passing for a near certain goal, in the 6 metre area.
2. For a dangerous play foul committed OUTSIDE the 6-metre area, if the goal is not defended. Again, this situation assumes the attacker is in the act of shooting or passing for a near certain goal.
3. A penalty will also be awarded for a foul on a player taking a “free shot” within the 6-metre area.
4. Taking of the penalty is relatively straightforward, but often forgotten as play can resume if the penalty shot is missed.
Positions: The penalty taker is lined up on the 6 metre line, and ALL other players (except substitutes) must be in the OTHER half of the pool.
Taking a shot: The leading referee throws the ball to the penalty taker, and on the whistle, the taker has 5 seconds to shoot. On the whistle, all other players can move to the ball, as play resumes.
If you miss: This is affectionately called the Harvey syndrome, as normally the ball goes out of play for a goal line throw. However, in Harvey’s situation, the ball hit the goal frame, and rebounded back into the area of play followed by considerable derision from his team-mates and the crowd. Therefore, all players can continue playing. Fortunately, Harvey did then win a corner, and the Pitbulls skilfully scored on a set play!!!!
Referees: The leading referee should be lined up with the penalty taker, while the other ref monitors that all remaining players are in the other half BEFORE the whistle is blown and play continues.
So now you all know what to do!!!
Mark Gillett