The Silly Army enjoyed a sun drenched afternoon in King’s Park this Sunday in the longest games session of the season, which left all of the Sillies aching for more (and most of them aching for a hot bath and some muscle rub).
After a busy few weeks it was great to get some new toys out in the park, not least the Giant Net that Pete has been perfecting for Really, Really Big Tennis – his latest game invention. While the giant net may still need a little work, it provides not only a great game (in which you struggle to see your opponents through the net) but also an effective anti-Chav barrier to keep out undesirable elements.
We began games with a traditional Big Tennis game, before moving on to enjoy or endure one of the longest Hockey games in living memory.
The clocks going forward and noisy pussy cats were among the reasons for Sillies being late, but gradually the field of players kept growing. It was good to welcome back newer recruits including Mark and Catherine, gluttons for more punishment, and to welcome a host of new members to the club – let’s hope they come back for more.
Five points were reached pretty quickly by the yellow team in Hockey, but with so many players arriving it was decided to play on to 10 – a decision some of the older members in particular would live to regret.
The red team was going from strength to strength and Pete couldn’t decide which team to be on to maintain his losing streak, which confused everyone (not least himself). The reds clawed five back and though the yellows scored a couple more it was not long before the reds took the lead. There was much deadlock before it was decided by old bones Dave and Pete that, with the teams tied on 8-8, the next goal would win. Kaye in the yellow goal squared up to counterpart Pete in the red, and I am pleased to report the best woman won as the yellows scored the winner.
After some Double Dodgeball we played the new version of Sticky Ball for the second week, complete with the chance to get multiple balls into play thanks to the central multiball hole. The blues quickly took the lead and won the first game, before the yellows came back to win the second. However, the blues played better as a team to win the third and take the match.
After an exceptionally confusing game of Crumbs & Crows (when is it not confusing?) we stopped for some well-earned tea and cake, home made cakes courtesy of Spencer in his chef’s trousers.
Next up was Combi Ball, for once quite a well balanced game with the lead frequently changing between the yellows and blues. New player Lauren in particular was a natural sharp shooter for the yellows, while K surprised herself more than anyone else by scoring a football goal for the blues. It was eventually the blues that took the lead, in no small part due to the partnership of Graham and Pete up front. Catherine also excelled for the yellows.
After a long experiment with the Really, Really Big Tennis game, we started losing players and retreated to the Big Tennis pitch. Big Tennis feels very small indeed after Really, Really Big Tennis, but we played on until we got too stiff to move.
A great Sunday in the park – come and join The Silly Army this Sunday from 1pm.
Silly Army 