The warriors of the Old boys enjoy some well-earned ale after the battle with PWC
	A tense moment in the PWC game, as Jess shakes his speare  at the opposition while Finn prepares himself for an advance from the rear.

Thurs 10 July - There has been a lot written about this Old Boys team in the recent weeks and some are speculating that it is the best Old Boys team ever assembled. However, whilst arguably containing the finest collection of players in a single squad this side of the Manchester Ship canal, the pistons have not necessarily been firing properly. This is not an observation about fire power, far from it as the spread of goal scorers suggests that goal scorers and game turners abound in each position. It's just that all departments have not been connecting and the fluidity that the names on the team sheet suggest should be there has just not been happening on a regular enough basis. Resplendent in their all white Thistle Construction strip, the Old Boys started the game against a depleted PWC, and the pre-match talk was all about wanting to demonstrate their dominance and claim for a title that has so far eluded them. However, PWC are going to be one of the contenders for the title this season with a fine blend of youth and attacking flare and no game against them was ever going to be easy.

Unfortunately, the game started with what is becoming the usual pattern from the Old Boys; a period of nervousness and inconsistency leading to the loss of early goals. Watching the game unfold brought to mind the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling "If". Despite having died over seventy years ago, it's fair to say that Kipling was a visionary and just like Nostradamus famously predicted key events in history, Kipling can now also lay claim to that ability. The simplicity of the title, the strength of the words, the unity of each verse, the coming of age, it was every thing that Old Boys demonstrated last night. For those whose memory may need a refresh, here is the poem in full. As you get immersed in the words, picture treacherous refereeing and the disappointment as decisions go against a disciplined Old Boys side, see the resilience of Sives, feel the fierce tackling of Comins, Whitaker, Gardner and Rogers, hear the rallying charges of Hydes, Ord, Silvester, O'Connor and Shakespeare, and observe in your mind the calmness and finishing of Henshaw and Cummings.

It is fair to say that Old Boys are now a man. Despite decisions that were controversial and the opposition attempting to influence the referee; despite a sending off that was unjust, despite suffering injury and fatigue and ridiculed from players and officials alike, Old Boys said "Hold On" and turned the game around. PWC played their part in the proceedings, dominating the early period of the game and scoring a good first goal with a skilful run and calm finish and even setting up the disaster with a goal from a free kick that Sives should really have collected. However, the turn around came at half time. With the worn out tools, Old Boys set to work rebuilding their pride and their future in a second half that saw PWC fade as the Old Boys shine returned. It was tireless and selfless displays by all and each contributed. Mention has to go to Henshaw for his composed opener, Cummings for his passionate second and Hydes for the determined third but really the plaudits rest with the team.

Whilst the Old Boys are not wanting the Earth, the title is their goal and good football is how they will get there. They will ignore the doubting, the lies and the traps. They will embrace the ethos of effort and will and virtue. And more importantly, judging from this performance they will make their journey to the title together as Men.