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WHO ARE WE?
We are the cream of sporting excellence in Huntingdon, and have been since the HSA's formation in 1988. An exclusive band of 19 individuals make up the HSA membership. |
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CONTACT US
ARCHIVE
HSA 2002
HSA 2003
HSA 2004
HSA 2005
HSA 2006
HITS SO FAR
HOME |
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Homologation Approved!
Match report: session two, 2008/09 |
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A Historic Day of Change for the HSA |
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ho�mol�o�gate (v, [T])
To approve, especially to confirm officially. Approval of a request for subbuteo rules or equipment changes. |
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'Ooohhh!!' - The gasps were not only on the pitch as the HSA adopted far-reaching rule changes |
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'Ya-bbuteo!' - Dave went top and won the Butler Cup. |
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Gunslinger: some sharp shooting from Dazza |
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You may have felt a strong breeze on January 10th if you were in Huntingdon. But it wasn't due only to the weather. Indeed no, for the wind of change was blowing pretty strongly as the HSA voted in massive changes. That day, that historic day, will forever be known as the one where the HSA changed forever.
After years of resisting the modern era and its new fangled rules, the HSA embraced them, lock, stock and barrell! Some HSA members had earlier proclaimed 'not on my watch' to any calls for the massive keepers and seemingly nonsensical rules of the present-day game. But even an institution as old as the HSA cannot live in a vacuum. With its players entering national competition, it was decided that now is the time to dance to the beat of FISTFs drum!
Purists need not worry about any lack of drama or excitement as a result of the change to the new rules however. Butler Stadium witnessed over 20 goals in a day of HSA League and Butler Cup action.
The Porters flicked off the day's play to contest the first match of the HSA modern era. Willard has recently relocated to Huntingdon in order to concentrate on the HSA and he made a good start to his life on subbuteo's sacred land, continuing his dominance in the Porter clan by winning 2 - 0. He then fought out a close first half with Dave Butler. However, Dave dominated the second half and won 4 - 0.
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Family affair: the Porter brothers battle out the first game of the post-rule-change era. Willard won 2 - 0. |
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Home Boy: Willard's move to Huntingdon to concentrate on the HSA paid off as he picked up six points in three games. Dave extended his lead at the top. |
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Whilst the new rules posed a few problems for the players, resulting in a few stoppages to consult the 80-page rulebook, Mr B, despite over 5 years of playing in the HSA, was still struggling to grasp the most basic laws of the game. One jaw-dropping moment even saw him ask for clarification on how many flicks a man can take! Despite such ignorance, Mr B played with quite some flair, giving both the Porters close games. At one point he was playing with such elegance and speed, that it was not the new rules troubling Willard, but how to keep up up with the 'Tony drago' of the HSA! After Mr B had taken his foot off the gas, and Willard took control, he still had to get past some inspired goalkeeping from Mr B. Each brilliant save became increasingly nonchalant as Mr B casually repelled Willard's shots. Mr Bs showboating between the sticks eventually came to a sticky end, however, as Willard stepped up the pace and fired in some nice shots to earn himself a 5 - 0 win and go second in the table.
Mr B was to lose out in both matches, in fact - after his defeat to Willard he lost out by a single goal to Tom. He almost lost more than a game of subbuteo following Tom's celebrations as he flung his arms into the air and sent the lamp shade swinging like a crazed pendulum! It was, however, probably the best goal Tom's ever scored, as he sent a sweet chip into the top corner, so he really should be forgiven. Even if he had damaged the light, you can't put a price on that moment of seeing the ball fly into the back of the onion bag! |
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Fists of fun: the hands that beat Mr B ... and almost destroyed his lamp shade. |
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Crossing swords: Tom edged a tight match to beat Mr B 1 - 0. |
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Mr B remained in action during the afternoon's play to compete in a couple of matches with the Butler boys. These matches doubled up as league and Butler Cup games. Perhaps he hadn't paced himself for the day's play as after his matches against the Porters he ran out of steam for these remaining matches: after an impressively close 1 - 0 defeat to Dazza he lost to Dazza again 3 - 0 and then 4 - 0 to Dave. Dazza's double against Mr B puts him second in the table, above Willard on goal difference, Dave and Dazza battled out for the Butler Cup, Dave triumphing 3 - 1 in an entertaining and open match, which whets the appetite for their league and cup matches to come.
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| Not by the hair of my chinny-chin-chin: Dave keeps it tight against Mr B. |
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Flicking against the grain: Dave flicks backwards as Mr B attacks. |
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Spot the difference: Mr Bs quick fingers led his opponents to wonder whether he is the Tony Drago of the HSA? |
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Tic!: Dave takes an onside flick |
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| Trigger happy: Dave lines up a long shot against Mr B. |
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Close up: Mr B and Dave joust for possession |
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| The following day Dazza became the first player in the modern era to represent the HSA in FISTF competition, as he competed in the Huntingdon Satellite (Dave represents Glasgow TSA). After 15 years away from 'the show', it was a baptism of fire as he competed with some of the countries seasoned campaigners. Both Butler boys enjoyed some close matches, Dazza went out at the group stage but made it to the semi-final of 'the plate'. Dave narrowly lost 2 - 1 in the tournament quarter-final to a local Huntingdon Hawks player. In a bizarre twist to end the weekend, Mrs B became the first woman to represent the HSA in a FISTF competition. |
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Cheers!: Dave proudly prepares to drink from the Butler Cup. |
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Show time: Dazza and Dave compete in the Huntingdon Satellite 2009. |
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| table and results |
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