A glorious saturday morning broke with the sun streaming low through the trees, a good day for the painting jobs that had to wait till the skys cleared their raindrops and it took till mid Sept. for that to happen. What is it at all with the Summers the past few years? More rain that January. Well it was hockey morning again and away again, and at Hilversum, whom we have not played for some time. It brings back memories for me as I "coached" Jim's first ever team there at some small competition, when he played for the "Benjamins". A small club with grass fields, back then (must be 7 years ago) surrounded by a small pitch and putt course, old wodden clubhouse, and full of character. They still use the grass fields in fact. Jim was playing so well (his own words) when suddenly the ball comes at him with great speed, and he is conscious of impact, on his middle finger, left hand, and for a moment he thinks, oh it's OK, but seconds later the reality dawns and throwing the hockey stick away in treeible pain he is called by the coach to the sideline for attention. Ice packs and some encouragement have Jim back on the field for the last few minutes of the first half, but he does not re-appear for the second half. The pain is too much. With swollen fingers and hand we leave the HMHC hoping that it will go down, and that all will be well. The score, oh yes Almere win by 2 goals to nil, despite withstanding an onslaught of attacking play by the hosts, and a plethora of brilliant saves by Thom (the keeper). Unfortunately the x-ray the next day in the hospital reveals a break in the middle finger. This puts paid to Jim's involvement in the hockey team for a good spell.
