Trying to get a team together for this game proved a frustrating experience.

Two of the team were ale-ing (not a spelling mistake) at the Worcester Beer festival. Another player was guarding the nest.

Dave & myself eventually gathered together a disparate Wild Bunch of Desperados to take on The Horse. With Steve "Bring Em down" Coogan in defence, "Reach for the Sky" Kev in goal, and Mickey from the land of the "Rising Gun" in midfield, the Shambles posse gathered at Perdiswell at "8:30 High". an exception was Blues, who obviously decided to turn up by mule and was nowhere to be seen.

Prior to the match I spotted "Bring Em Down" and Flash "Davey Crockett" coming down from upstairs slowly putting on their shirts. This felt like part of my posse were having a Brokeback Mountain experience.

Dave, the "Hang Em High" ref, got the parties to stand toe to toe ready for the shoot out.

Yeeeee-hah, peee-ow.... the opening shots commences. From early on the frailties of my hastily assembled posse came to the fore. We were all too far apart and were struggling to form a meaningful attack, although Tim "The Bandit" was slugging it out up front.

The Horse were the exact oppsosite, and commenced an onslaught.......1-0..........2-0.

Kev was keeping us in it with some fine saves.

I noticed "Davey Crockett" running in defence looking like the first person to travel beyond 4mph in a car, his eyes like a startled coyote, and thinking he would die as his breath would be taken away. I could see him thinking "Speed Kills".

I called for reinforcements in the shape of Blues who had finally got his mule here. Within 30 seconds he was a fatality as he was struck in his Hooter and fell to the ground. Off to Boot hill he went..

A couple of posse members tried to appeal for a free shot from "Hang Em High" for encroachemnt of their goal area. No result.

Horse showed no compassion.......3-0........half time.

My team of desperados regrouped on the other side of town. I decided I was not going to come back unless necessary.

Horse started the second half as they ended it....goal.......4-0. "The Bandit" issued a rallying cry in his disappointment.

His call was answered by his posse-mates. "Rising Gun" stealthily picked his way through the Horse Gang" and powered a shot in......peee-ow!......4-1

Finally "The Bandit" got his reward for his efforts as he too hit a great goal.....peee-ow!......4-2.

I saw Hang Em High indicate 4 minutes to go. The Shambles Posse were now on fire lead by the "The Bandit" . Great team play let in "Rising Sun" to net his second.....peee-ow!....4-3

The Horse Gang were still getting shots in but stubborn defence kept them out.

Suddenly the air became still, the tumbleweed lay motionless, an ominous feel pervaded the night air. something was about too happen. Bandit....bandit....bandit.....

Here he comes again, slotting home an equaliser.....peee-ow!.......4-4.

The Shambles evoked the song "they shoot horses don't they" in my mind. Not the best all round display but a fighting, never say die attitude, exemplified by "The bandit" brought about a fair result.

High Fives and back slapping all round one of the all-time great games to be in.

THANKS TO THE DESPERADOS WHO JOINED US IN OUR HOUR OF NEED.

Hi-ho Silver, away.......yeee-hah!!