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For a long while I thought the tour might not happen. Paul Maguire and I had terrible trouble trying to arrange fixtures. A chance meeting with my cousin at Truro hospital at Easter, gave us a few contacts. With three fixtures confirmed the tour was on.
Travelling down was an experience for everyone. Being the first real holiday period of the season and roadworks on the M4 and M5, resulted in elongated journeys of up to 6, maybe more hours. Everyone arrived at various times during the Saturday, except the Waller tribe which had travelled the night before and the Makers who arrived in the evening.
A get together at the club house in the evening soon put memories of the arduous journey behind us, (as well as a few brain cells). Entertainment for the evening was provided by Jeff and Angie, AKA “Looney Tunes”. Jeff is originally a Watford lad and an old friend, so our crowd was soon targeted to join in. Anyone who was there will never forget Derek Ady as Mr. Teapot. On stage, tea cosy on head, singing “I’m a little teapot.” The tea cosy looked sort of Papal, and with one hand on his hip, I will always remember a queer Pope on dope.Please note there is video footage out there, when available it will be uploaded.
In the mean time, below is Derek's certificate to prove he was indeed Mr. T-Pot.
After along day and late evening we trundled; some staggered back to their sheds for the night. (Around 1230am). Our first game was the next day against Wendron FC.
The Watford Crew. On a previous visit
Our first game of the tour, everyone bleary eyed from the night before. Drivers hoping the Cornish Police car was near maybe Penzance, or even better Land’s End. One thing about the tour is we did not know the opposition. They could stuff us, or we them, no one knew.
We all found our way to Wendron, following some hand written amendments to the directions, courtesy of a post code error. (Thanks Dave).
First impressions, “what facilities”. Take the link on this site to: friends of Hawks.
The Wendron ground was superb. A club house, cricket pitch, full size footie pitch like a bowling green and a mini pitch for us. Proper Ref. All had been organised, by Darryl Hunter the Wendron Manager.
Wendron FC 3-2 Woodley Hammers Hawks
Not knowing the opposition could be good could be bad. With the weather perfect for footie, the tour was finally underway as we kicked off.
It was evident the two teams were pretty evenly matched and it looked like it was going to be a great game. Hammers finally broke the deadlock with a Jack Waller goal. The lead was short lived however, as Joe had what can only be described as a nightmare. Joe came out to clear a backpass and totally missed the ball! Two Wendron players just walked the ball into the net. A couple of things were evident. One: The boys were already tired following their late night and two: We had forgotten how to play mini football. After a season at 11-a-side and playing offside, our defence was pushing up the field. A ball over the top and we were exposed. Remember, NO OFFSIDE.
Hammers re-took the lead following a tremendous volley from Lewis Robinson, which gave the Wendron keeper no chance. Minutes later Wendron were on the attack again. Joe made up for his earlier mistake by pulling off a wonderful save and Daniel Maker was forced to clear off the line.
HALF TIME and boy were they tired.
The second half was a close and eagerly fought contest, but Wendron finally clinched the game 3-2.
It would have been nice to at least draw. It would have been nice to play with a team not half asleep! No excuses though, we were beaten fair and square. Two evenly matched teams, what a great start to the tour. Credit to the Ref as well for a great performance.
After the game it was back to the clubhouse for refreshments. The bar was open and Wendron had prepared a basket meal of sausage and chips for everyone. Fantastic! We soon realised that most of the boys had disappeared. We eventually found them. Back on the pitch playing another game of football! What a great club and what hospitality. Many thanks to Darryl and all at Wendron.
At last the tour is underway, as we kick off against Wendron
Cream Crackered: and this is only half time!
Wendron FC and Woodley Hammers Hawks
Sausage and chips for all. Marvellous.
Following another very late night at the club house, everyone was probably very pleased to have a day off from football. With no format set for the tour, people did their own thing.
St Merryn has a slogan. “Seven bays for seven days”. This put simply means there are seven beaches within the immediate vicinity of St Merryn. These beaches are quite simply the best in the world. Mile upon mile of golden sand, rocks and rock pools and the wonderful Atlantic surf. Being a wonderful sunny day, many just hit the beaches.
Others feeling they needed more of a metropolis experience headed to Padstow. Padstow is an historic and typical little Cornish fishing port, now sometimes called Steinsville! You can visit Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant, Rick Stein’s Deli, Rick Stein’s fish and chip shop or Rick Stein’s café.
Joking aside, Padstow has a wealth of wonderful pubs, café, and shops. Yes it caters for the tourists, but it is a wonderful example of a Cornish fishing port.
The port of Padstow and the beautiful Camel estuary on which Padstow is built.
Seven bays for seven days
Time for game two of the tour, and you guessed it. It followed another late night at the clubhouse! We had previously agreed not to put a curfew on the boys. We agreed they were here on holiday, so they should have fun.
Another sprint down the A39 towards Truro. This was worse though due to an early KO time and therefore early departure. Carn Brea was a little trickier to find than Wendron, but eventually all arrived safely. Once again wonderful facilities, Ref arranged, all courtesy of Lester and Keith.
Carn Brea 1-6 Woodley Hammers Hawks
Once again unknown opposition. This touring’s fun. The referee looked younger than some of the players, the lad had qualified so recently that he didn’t even have a badge for his shirt yet!
Hammers started well, having most of the possession, then against the run of play we conceded a goal. Was this to be a repeat of the Wendron late night syndrome? Hammers dug deep and (woke up). We equalized through a typical Jack Waller solo goal. Carn Brea simply unable to cope with Jack’s pace. Hammers took the lead with probably the goal of the game. Sam Maguire took the ball down the left wing and floated a lovely cross to the far post. Andy peat was perfectly positioned to head the ball into the onion bag. 2-1. Andy was involved in Hammer’s third goal. Andy played an inch perfect ball which cut through the Carn Brea defence and Jack was on hand to slot home. 3-1, and half time.
Hammers extended the lead early in the second half, Sam went on a blistering run down the wing and crossed for Jack to slot home again. Then Carn Brea started the dirty tricks. I wasn’t expecting this, but I think Lester had planned it all along. Yes you guessed it. The old “dog on the pitch routine”. The dog had a wonderful run, before finally being ejected by the stewards. Hammers continued to concentrate however and extended our lead once again through Jack. Another case of Jack just being to quick. Hammer’s final goal was probably the most controversial. Hammers won a corner and for some reason Lewis took it. The ball swung in and was definitely not touched by a Hawk and ended up in the net. Lewis claimed the goal. So the final whistle went and we had our first victory of the tour.
After the Game Lester advised that this was his team’s first competitive match, so well done Carn Brea. A great performance and unlucky that Jack was on song bagging four goals. Once again, what a great club and great new friends. Thank you Carn Brea.
And the Ref? Fantastic performance. I just wish we had Referees as good in our leagues. And the Dog? I tried to sign him on a Bosman, but we could not agree personal terms. If you only knew how many Bonios that guy wanted a week!
Our day at Carn Brea
Have you noticed, football Managers seem to be the same shape!
The day was not however all joy. David Panter had hurt his foot the previous evening, Martin took David to hospital in Truro and missed the game, a game in which Matthew played well. David had broken a bone and was put in a splint. With the doom of maybe the Panter tribe going home, we all stopped for a McDonalds on the way home.
Chaos reigned supreme at McD's. The Maguire's seemed to disown us however?
We're not with them OK!
Poor David in his splint, luckily the Panters stayed on tour.
Yes we did have another late night down the club house!
In came flaming June, although not too flaming. A day off from footie and a chance to go to Creally adventure park
Creally is a great day out. Set in acres of what was originally farm land it is now a bustling adventure park. The boys had a great day especially as all attended. Can you imagine our rabble let loose on death slides etc.
The pictures say it all.
Girls go by (left and right... or are they watching tennis?
Jack and Andy's latest friend
The evening of the 1st became one of the memorable parts of the tour, (Alvin Sawdust besides of course). Once again to the club house, Point Curlew had given us permission to use the back bar to host a pool competition. Simple draw, everyone took part, lose and you’re out.
The final came down to a battle between Daniel Maker and Jack Waller, with the winner taking the kitty, the heat was on. Daniel was obviously the hustler of the team. Daniel shot some great pool all evening and was obviously the better player. Jack however has something all should envy. Jack always wants to win. Whether it’s football, pool or probably eating dinner, Jack has to be first. Yes, you guessed it Jack won. Although it was through a foul shot from Daniel.
The other highlight of the evening was in the front bar, the girls won the pop quiz being run by DJ Sumo. They actually got the highest score ever recorded! So well done Ladies. The prize was a couple of bottles of wine, needless to say they were not laid down to mature! The evening continued with a limbo contest.
Liz Waller was sufficiently oiled to slide under the bar. There was also a competition for the kids, guess who won? Yes Jack off course.
Jack "slow hand" Waller. The hustler
Another early morning and another trip down the Atlantic highway to Truro. Today our hosts were the Truro Lions. Heard lots of rumours regarding the Lions prior to going on tour. All of them good. I also looked up their league position and goal difference etc. Impressive, it looked as though we were in for a tough game.
Ironically the venue for the game was at a school, boy were we taught a lesson!
Truro Lions 9-2 Woodley Hammers Hawks
Hawks got off to a terrible start, going a goal down in the first few minutes. Was this the opening of the flood gates? Maybe not. Hammers pulled the game back to 1-1 with a great headed goal from Ben Ady.
Then it happened. Lions took control of the game or rather one young man did. Lions number 4 Jared Sims. Jared has fantastic talent and supported by a Lions side, strong in every position, they proceeded to rip us apart. Mauled by Lions. Jared was involved in everything including the Hawk’s second goal. Jared kindly scored it for us!
It is a long time since the Hawk’s have conceded 9 goals, a tribute to the Lions. Eventually I think all were relieved when the final whistle blew. A sad result for the final game of the tour, but at least the consolation of watching probably the best U11 side I have ever seen. Unfortunately the Lions Manager Mark Teasdale could not be present due to work commitments. Thanks Mark for the organisation though.
Biccies and squash afterwards and then you guessed it, they were all back on the pitch playing again. I actually think we were winning when we finally dragged the boys away!
Another great friendly club. We have been very lucky on this tour.
Thank you Lions
Action from the game and trying to lift the Hawks at half time
Lions and Hawks
Remember my name
With the completion of our final game, it was time to relax. One more night down the clubhouse and then the long treck home the following morning. Unfortunately we all had to depart on the Friday to be home in time for the Woodley Hammer's 6-a-side on the Saturday.
Needless to say the last night out was funnnnnnn.
People endured some terrible journeys on the way home. Martin Panter phoned me at 0930 am to tell me there was an accident on the A30. I was in Reading!!!
So was the tour a success? Paul and i wanted the guys to have a week to remember for the rest of their lives. I think and hope we succeded.
The hospitality shown to us by Wendron, Carn Brea and truro Lions was amazing.
