The story so far ...
The Berserkers had a shakey start to the pennant, only winning one of the five games of the first round. We won 6 of the remaining 10 games and had one draw which put is into the finals. We had a tight game in the first final against University eventually winning 3:2 sending us to the preliminary final. Unfortunately we lost to the Dolphins 3:4 thus ending the season in 3rd place. Pennant 1 2000 commences on February 9.
The first pennant series of 1999 is now over. The Berserkers fought hard and won a total of 13 games out of 15 going into the finals as top seed. The first final was a nail biter that went into extra time against number 2 seed, the Red Dogs. We ended up winning 6:4 sending us into the grand final.
The grand final was disapointing for the Berserkers as Richard Lane, our trusty full back, couldn't make it. Apart from that the team never really got into the groove and ended up losing 9:1 to the Dolphins.
The draft for the next pennant has taken place and the we picked up Bek Tunevitsch. This is the second ever girl to be drafted as a Berserker. Bek represented Australia at the Southern Hemisphere Championships earlier this year in South Africa.
Presentation night was a blast. A seventies night was held at the University soccer club rooms. I wonder when that stuff will come back into fashion?....
The grand final was on Wednesday 25th November. The Wanderers defeated Puck Fiction 4:2 in a fast and furious game. The next season starts in March next year. The Berserkers won the wooden spoon award for the first time ever!! Next year will be different ...
A new concept was formed this year in the TUHA. The losing team in A-grade was to play the best selection of players in A-reserve. Thus the inaugural "Ron Maybey Cup" commenced. Luckily the Berserkers trashed the A-reserve hopefuls about 10:0. It was a good fun game for all concerned!
The old roster is found HERE
There were a few peoblems that are worth a mention. We lost some of our top players to other teams, namely Mathew Hosan, Chris Schuecker and Nathan Whelan. Obviously we weren't paying them enough?! Keith was also away for the worlds for a month, Garry went somewhere to look at rocks. Domination was last years key word anyhow...
This pennant was held in two venues as the TUHA migrated from the trusty Clarence Pool to the modern Aquatic Centre. Having won the last ever A-grade pennant in the old pool, it was voted unanamously to win the first pennant at the new pool, so we pulled our fingers out. From a statistical point of view, we won 10 games, drew 1 and lost 4 all season. We lost the first final 2:4 against the Scuds, then blew the Red Dogs out of the water 8:0 in the next final and beat the Scuds 7:2 in the grand final. We scored 107 goals, and had 44 scored against us all season (inc. finals).
The Barbarians were here just after the start of the second pennant series in their epic tour of Australia. We liked their team name so much, we ended up drawing with them 3:3 held over the 3 comp nights they were here. We ended up Second overall, Barbarians third. The combination team of Scuds/Red Dogs took the title.
Picture of some UK folk on top of Mt Wellington
First pennant win since Pennant 2, 1993. 10 wins, 5 losses. The first final against the Scuds went to extra time and then sudden death. We eventually won 4:3. We played the Scuds in the grand final as well, easilly defeating them 5:1.
The team line up for 1997 was... Keith Midson (captain), Chris Schuecker, Garry Davidson, Mathew Hosan, Mark Rough, Mark Lewis, Jamie Nye, Tony White & Nathan Whelan.
An eventful season. 9 wins, 3 losses & 3 draws. Lost grand final to the Red Dogs in sudden death - bummer!
Held at the Clarence pool. Flew Jason Lord over from Western Australia to play for us. We won every game.
Image of seedy Berserkers at preso dinner afterwards
Lost Keith (men's team), Mark Rough, & Garry (master's team) to worlds in Durban. Still ended up second overall.
Lucky third place again.
Third yet again!
Third again! Lost first semi in sudden death against Depth Charges after being on top of the ladder all season. Colin Hepher and Natalie Wickham came back from France worlds just before final to play against us ... if only they stayed longer...
Lost Jason Lord for worlds in France, then he moved to Perth. Also lost Rob Armsby. Ended up third.
Blew everyone out of the water. Won every game.
Image of 1993 team at SEAC, Clarence pool
Came second.
Won grand final easilly. Team list for 1993 - Jason Lord (Captain), Keith Midson, Jamie Nye, Richard Blythe, Shaun Quin, Robert Armsby, Chris Schuecker.
© 1998 keith_midson@hotmail.com
