Revenge

Scarred from the previous encounters, 9 riles up narwhals were deciding on how to maul their prey. A pre-match maccers and a slight hint of food poisoning wouldn’t help much but the two otters were looking delightful - so young, so fit, so complacent. They wouldn’t know what had them. As the narwhals humbly trotted their way pool side, 13 young otters were there to meet them, warming up for a repeat of a fierce battle. Fortunately, with an angle in white on either side the narwhals knew they had a chance. 

The first quarter was slow - one on ones squandered and shots were blazed over the bar. Otters scrambling about trying to form some sort of team coordination while the narwhals a complete defensive unit, not letting any of their side give up. The slow start was amplified but the activeness of the narwhals going forward, with the plastic remains of a McDonalds weighing them down, their attacking presence was not one to be feared. It only took a single breakaway to take the lead however, with Rob “Is a dick” Dickinson finally putting the first goal in with only a minute left in the quarter. Nothing more coming, Narwhals ended it 1-0. One down, three more to go.

The second quarter was shit - a silly major in the pit and otter equalised. Clearly shocked at their competence, each narwhal shut off and managed to concede another in dubious circumstances. 2-1 up however the otters did not push on, moreso they relaxed a bit, let off their press for a short amount of time. Not enough for narwhals to punish but enough to have a breather and compose themselves. At half time, 2-1 down the call came in… “Don’t be shit!”.

The third quarter was better - no silly majors and a weak link found in the otter defence, The lack of a man to mark the wing was making the difference, as the narwhals pushed and pushed. Still, more one on ones were missed but Michelangelo  “Isn’t a teenage mutant ninja turtle” Tritto took his chance on the top of the box. Another from Francesco “These refs are shit” Biot put the narwhals back in the lead. Not lasting for long but a solid foundation to attack the final quarter from. As the quarter ended, narwhals knew what had to be done. 3-3, one chance to take it.

As the first possession was won (again) by George “Can swim fast” Adam the first goal of the 4th was quickly lobbed away by Frankie, deciding that complaining about not getting a foul given was a good distraction to give him some space for a shot. Otter equalising and even taking a lead quickly after though. 5 minutes left, 2 goals needed - could it be done. Mickey decided that taking shit shots all season was quite clearly over and put another away from 7 metres to equalise. 1 minute left - lets win this. As we take possession quickly of otter on the top of the arc, the slow counter pulls in their left winger on a drop that wasn’t necessary. If Rob “Can put his dick in whatever part of his body he wants” Dickinson scores, narwhals surely would’ve won it. The back of the net bulges, not convinced initially due to an Adam based blunder, the narwhals hesitated before the dismayed otter faces realised that they had taken the lead with 40 seconds left. One attack and one possession to win it now. Otter on the attack try to take it quickly, and it gets pulled out of the pit by some excellent last minute defending. Just needing to hold onto the ball now, with Charles and Rob countering to try and extend the lead. The 30 second clock begins to tick down. The ball hasn’t moved. 5 seconds left. The ball hasn’t moved. 

As the clock strikes zero, Mickey looks at the ref in dismay that he wasn’t given a foul. Not that otter cared. They took it on with 5 seconds left, with it in the corner, looking for a pull back. The pass is found, and the shot…

Is too late. As the free man on 4 metres catches it, the buzzer goes off and the rather stressed and visibly annoyed narwhals realise what's happened. A win for the ages, a first away win all season, and more importantly, a win against those guys that really pissed us off the last 3 times we played them. 

Man of the Match went to Rob, for not only masterminding how to play old man waterpolo with a bunch of kids, but also putting away the winning goal. An honourable mention to Mr Adam, who not only swam so far that the structure was secure but also winning 4 swim offs on a maccers - madness.  Moment was also claimed by the old man for said winner, a wonderful way to end things. Fluffer was almost unanimously the farce that was the final 30 seconds from the Narwhals, nearly costing multiple blushes let alone the game.

Portugal was busy that week, not only did they win a round of 16 game on pens, but they also had some visitors of a mammaled variety. Charles, George and Gary getting lost on their travels. Nothing new for some it seems. 

Until next time, Forza Narwhali.