Thurs 14 Aug - The journey from the sweaty and aromatic depths of the Miami gentlemen's club scene to Luke Chapter 12 Verse 48 took seven days and quite a lot of anti-blasphemy pills. Seven days ago the Old Boys were strutting at the top of the division with seven straight wins and getting the kind of acclaim that only people with really, really special talents deserve. Their play made me think of Layla from the Pink Pussy Cat who could simultaneously, and each in a different direction, rotate the cheeks of her exquisitely honed rear and thus bring pleasures that were frankly divine. But, as Luke reminds us, to whom much is given, much more will be required. For the Old Boys, the game against PWC was an opportunity to show that they knew they had to work hard for themselves and each other to keep the momentum going and to go an entire season without dropping any points; a feat never previously achieved by any team. The squad was promising, with the return of Silvester, Henshaw and Chiazza there was added strength and guile to the midfield although the influential Ords was missing along with proven goal scorers but long term absentees Deriso and Ludford-Thomas and the tenacious Gardner. PWC were not going to make the Old Boys journey any easier, as they fielded a strong and skilful side, capable of soaking up lengthy spells of pressure but punishing on the break.

Old Boys, in their white Thistle Construction sponsored home kit, looked the hungrier of the sides in the opening exchanges although as expected PWC were strong but fair in the tackle. It was obviously going to be a tight game and with the Old Boys starting with the experienced defensive partnership of Roughead and Comins, both men hewn from the solid rock found only in the north of the British Isles, no goal was going to be given up cheaply. With the youthful Whitaker and Rogers ready to stand in, the defence deserved every bit of its reputation as the meanest in terms of goals conceded and looks. The impetus was on the forwards and goal scoring midfielders to do their job and bag the goals. This was not helped by an injury to the mercurial Bryan Hydes who midway through the first half pulled up with what was initially feared to be a torn thigh muscle. Fortunately, subsequent scans show the injury is only a strain although it does mean he will miss the next two games. With Hydes gone, Cummings and O'Connor both stepped up. In a game of few chances they worked hard, held the ball up well, chased down defenders and always provided themselves as an outlet. With the departure of O'Connor fast arriving, he has started to show his true form with neat touches and quick runs which means that he will be missed when he returns to England.

In such a tight game, discipline and concentration was required as the Old Boys didn't want to find themselves down a man against such a strong side. Shakespeare, even more gentlemanly and soft than his playwright name suggests, was the most unlikely recipient of a yellow card for a foul from behind and his departure put the Old Boys under pressure. However, with Roughead putting in another commanding performance at the back, Chiazza back in strong and enlarged form in the middle and Henshaw, with his languid style of making the game play around him, PWC could not find a way through. When chances came, Sives was equal to them, often diving low to palm away well struck shots that were goal bound. With the teams back on level numbers, Cummings opened the scoring with a well taken finish following good team build up play and a final pass from the effervescent Gaffin. That Cummings continues to score is testament to his perseverance and the support from the rest of the team. With Deriso and Ludford-Thomas out, O'Connor leaving, and Hydes injured, the burden of scoring is likely to rest on his not inconsiderable shoulders for the last few games of the season. Never a man to step away from a challenge, it is both hoped and expected that the Buddha is going to make more appearances in the route to the final.

The start of the second half followed the pattern of the first; extensive Old Boys pressure and limited PWC chances. However, as the game wore on, the concern on the Old Boys bench was whether one goal would be enough. Sadly, this question was answered following a well taken but disputed PWC goal straight from a corner which capitalised on a noticeable lack in concentration. Whilst the referee should have blown his whistle to signal the restart and that the corner should be taken, he didn't and the Old Boys need to learn to live with the roller coaster of unfathomable and sometimes wrong refereeing decisions. We are after all told that to err is human. Even though Old Boys had their pressure, they didn't realise it in goal terms and a draw reflected fairly the chances in the game and the work rate of PWC.

Old Boys still sit in prime position at the top of the division and are still unbeaten which is a fine achievement at this stage of the season. However, much has been given to this talented squad and therefore much is required; in order to win the division, a feat not yet achieved by the Old Boys, perseverance, commitment and concentration is needed. These are what make the talent shine and it's important that everyone gives this as a team for their team. The squad has embarked on a momentous journey where they are each showing their characters and pulling the team together and along. This needs to continue and the squad needs to retain its own character, founded on humbleness in order to succeed. This week has seen divine pleasures, forgiveness being divine and finally, divine wisdom: Proverbs 16:18-19 states “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall" and it is a warning well worth taking.