BLS FOOTBALL AND HOCKEY TRIP TO LONDON
On Friday May 6th the BLS Football and Hockey sides went up to London to play the teams sponsors Barlow Lyde and Gilbert.
After strong performances by both sides in the previous intra-mural leagues hopes were high of securing the first victory against the sponsors. The intrepid Adrian West dealt with all manner of weather conditions and some interesting driving by London Taxis to get the team safely to the BLG offices. After a quick drink the teams went off to the football ground at Mile End. On arrival we found the pitch covered by 13 year old would be gangsters who didn’t seem best pleased at our requests for their removal.The football pitch was eventually cleared and the game started. The sides were evenly matched and the game proved to be very close. Andy Stott added strength to the BLS midfield and combined well with Damian Shanahan and Tim Morris up front. The BLS defence remained solid keeping the BLG chances to a minimum but whenever there was a shot on goal Rich proved equal to it. Barlows themselves fielded a strong side which included a couple of county players and one who had previously played for the Under 21 Wales team (not necessarily the highest of accolades).
BLG possibly had the best of the first half, coming closest to scoring with a shot which looked to have crossed the line before being cleared away, but being too polite to argue the scores were level at half time.
Unfortunately the game finished there, due to a mix up over the booking of the pitch two more teams turned up to play resulting in the match finishing level.The Hockey side managed a complete match which was also very close ending in a two all draw. Tom Goldsmith had to change allegiance and played for the Barlows team who were a player short (this may explain his subsequent offer of a vacation placement at BLG). The game was of a high standard with both teams matching each other well.
The players returned to the BLG offices where they were provided with large amounts of beer and food. This allowed everyone the chance to talk with the BLG trainees and Recruitment Staff on an informal basis about the firm and life as a city lawyer. The evening was very enjoyable and definitely successful for some who managed to secure vacation placements with BLG over the summer. Some of the team decided to stay in London and carried on drinking until the early hours of the morning.
The long journey back was eased by a couple of crates of Carling which seemed to make the time fly by but even so the team didn’t get back to Exeter until about 3.00 a.m.
Adrian West and Simon deserve a special mention for having the unenviable task of driving to London and back, for which everyone was very grateful.
The BLS would also like to thank Caroline Walsh and Barlow Lyde and Gilbert for an enjoyable day and their continued sponsorship.
