MARIST CASUALS 0 vs 13 City Wanderers

When Taumarunui pub rockers Dragon once trilled “Don’t you go out in the rain” that directive was surely aimed at the Marist Casuals who, despite being understrength, took on the Premier League Champions City Wanderers in this Charity pool match in thunderous conditions at Wembley Park. And at full time they would to agree that they should not have ventured out into that precipitous situation.

The heavens opened and for much of the game the conditions were like that of a bowl of mud coloured custard which seemed to suit the City side – or more accurately didn’t suit the Marist side.

It was always going to be about damage limitation for the Casuals and try as they did they couldn’t stop the metaphorical bleeding.

City scored in bunches. Marist could hold out for twenty minutes then concede three quickly. It was hard for the orange side to maintain their rear-guard action against a young fit and pacey side.

It wasn’t all bad. Ken Graham playing as an emergency stand in took over in goal and played remarkably well, letting regular keeper Buck Buchanan move forward and play as a target man. Almost straight away Causals threatened. But the threat could not be sustained.

City were well worth their win and as the rain came down even heavier the pitch became unplayable and play was ceased without the full amount of injury time being played.

However, the only real injury was to the Casuals pride.