“Kermit’s XI - 1      Banana-man’s XI – 1”

‘On a cold, but thankfully dry night in Leek a bunch of funny, strange but entertainingly dressed people from Leek HC turned up to play hockey - this turned out to be harder than you would think due to the quality of their costumes!

The game was started by Jack (dressed as Woody from Toy Story) for whom the match was organised. Kermit and Banana-man were the chosen captains and they selected their teams. It soon became obvious that having Banana-man along with a bunch of the bananas of the same team was giving them far too much strength, St George was slaying the Dragon over and over again, the Dragon’s head hitting the floor more than once! The Incredible Hulk and his unfeasibly large stick were taking control of the game, but our defence of Animal, Little Mermaid and Tiger Woods were holding firm. It took a little time but soon the Hot-Dog got in a roll and we were soon joined by Mel B who added some much need pace. As Banana-man and Sumo were having a tough battle for supremacy on the wing, the midfield trio of Lady Ga Ga, He Man and Action Girl started creating chances for Monkey Boy! If only Monkey Boy could get his head to face in the right direction, never mind getting his head round which way we were shooting, we could have been a goal up! Banana-man’s team made a great break on the counter with ball flowing from Shrek to Banana2, then a through ball to Smurf whose cross found Blue-Boy and slotted home by Carrot.

The much needed half time oranges came just in time as things were warming up a lot in those costumes!!!

Second half started this time not by The Stig, but Stig’s cousin from Milton, James! The Fairy and Batwoman linked up nicely to give Monkey-Boy another chance, but this time we was thwarted by a Santa and Tigger sandwich! A bit of Muppet Action came as Animal thread a ball through to Kermit who put the squeeze on Sponge-bob - water was everywhere, but the frog paddled through and passed to Mel B who squared to Tiger Woods who slipped it to Lady Ga Ga, out to Hot-Dog and eventually finished at his eighth attempt by Monkey-Boy!

With match drawn Hulk was getting used to his unfeasibly large stick and was chucking aerials and dribbling though the despairing tacklers, the move of the match went Hulk, Banana-man, Smurf, Banana 2, 3 then 1 out to the roaming Tigger back to the Carrot at the top of the D whose flick hit the crossbar and bounced back to Hulk who slotted home, fortunately the goal was disallowed due to the size of his stick! Chances came and went for both sides to win the game, but finished up as a credible 1-1 draw. Thanks must go to Fireman Sam for his great umpiring technique.’

Around £2,000 was raised from this event which is incredible – a big thank you to the members of Leek Hockey Club and everybody who sponsored them.