Bar Association Soccer

The day after Philp SC told the attendees at the Bar  Dinner of the legal arrangements in the State of  Kattertonia, the Marauding Maroon Super Stars Queensland Bar soccer team (“the MMSS”) played the New South Wales and Victorian Bars in the inaugural Suncorp Cup “World Game” tournament.

Whilst the team did not bring the Suncorp Cup to Queensland, the players acquitted themselves admirably.

The tournament was played under rules fairly drawn by the NSW Bar. Interchange was at will. Each team was to play two games of sixty minutes duration with ten minute breaks.

The MMSS had three reserves. The NSW Bar had 17 reserves and players who could play the “World Game”. The Victorian Bar had so many players (including readers from the Solomon Islands) they offered to help the MMSS survive the day. Captain Selfridge declined the offer and the MMSS played two games consecutively, without assistance, against the hordes of NSW and Victoria.

Early in the first game against the NSW Bar, after the MMSS goal was peppered with shots at goal, a decision was made to change goal keepers. The large replacement MMSS goal keeper decided to approach his job with some of his skills as a rugby player. He constantly charged at the ball when it was within 20 meters of the goal square and succeeded in either obtaining the ball and returning it to the opposition goalkeeper or, on occasion, intimidating the opposition player into retreat or submission. Unfortunately for one Victorian player a collision occurred but a goal was saved. At the awards presentation a Victorian player confessed that early in the game he decided to stay away from the Queensland goal keeper.

Despite the MMSS goalkeeper having more possession of the ball than any other player on the field that day the MMSS were unlucky not to score a goal and suffered seven goals scored against them in the two matches.  In the last half of the second game opposition fresh legs took their toll on the MMSS and defeat was inevitable.

Evident throughout was a strong team spirit and unwavering commitment by the MMSS. A good time was had by all. Players spent the next week recovering.

Awarded best on field in the MMSS games were John Selfridge and Guy Andrew.

It is likely the Queensland Bar will host the tournament next year.  Anyone interested in being involved with the MMSS in any way should contact Captain Selfridge.

Thanks to Peter Steele and the Medico Legal Insurance Group (MLIG) for their support and sponsorship.

PJF (MMSS Manager)