The eight men's teams representing the Coast from Gibsons to Pender Harbour met last weekend in Gibsons for their season finale.
The Sechelt Chiefs played a great tournament, playing each of the two finalists, Xenichen Wolves and Gibsons Pigs, to within a single goal. Halfmoon Bay Sea Kayaks hit a few too many posts and crossbars over the weekend, but were awarded the most sportsmanlike team for having the fewest cards throughout the season.
The boys from Pender Harbour, who had shaved heads last tournament, arrived this year with their heads dyed a trendy banana yellow. Rod Kammerle looked like an extra from a Billy Idol video. Again, for the fifth season in a row, the Bananas found themselves fighting in the final for that 24-canned, duct-taped monstrosity known as the Beer Cup. The Bananas put out an effort not seen from them all weekend, but it was a left-footer from the IGA Selects Glen Coady that brought home the aluminum, and the two teams gathered afterward on the sidelines where everyone got a piece of the prize.
After Saturday's play, the final four were Gibsons United, Wolves, Gibsons Pigs and Coast Progressive United (CPU).Gibsons United was looking like the dark horse of the tournament as they went through their side undefeated, with the Pigs doing the same in their group. In the semifinals, United played the Wolves to a 0-0 draw at regular time, had a goal called back in overtime then lost in a shootout. In the other semi, Pigs' Ken Campbell's seasoned touch provided the single goal of the game to put the Pigs through ahead of CPU.
United and CPU again met this year to play for third place.
The game's best moments were watching Sean Whalen, one of the most dangerous strikers, take on Shane Vernon, one of the league's most avoided defenders, as they raced and crashed around the field, sprinting after long balls. CPU put two in the net, with a long dribbler from Dave Rogers and a high arching ball from Vernon. United's goal came on a penalty shot from calm and cool marksman Neville "Cucumber" Judd, after Whalen was fouled in the box.
Wolves and Pigs also met again this year in the final, and after seven seasons, the league had new tournament champs.The boisterous fans at Bothers Park seemed to be divided in half, where one side of the field cheered for Gibsons and the other side for the Sechelt team. Both teams brought speed and spryness to the match that belied the fact they had each just played four games. The Wolves, always a pleasure to watch, had one-touch passing and overlapping runs from Junior Dixon, Eddy Paul and Corey August, and well-timed defensive attacks from Ian Dixon, with field-long clearing kicks from Rick Timothy. Likewise, the Pigs got solid defence from Owen Perry and Drew Murphy and runs up the side from Al Blattler, with great heads-up playmaking and sideline ball control from Brad Pedersen. Wolves had an early chance to go up when Paul hit a volley just over the crossbar. Late in the first half it was Campbell who took a ball and turned to hit the inside of the post and put the Pigs up 1-0.
In the second half, a quick throw-in had the Wolves disorientated, as Darryl Germaine grabbed the ball to run in and score. In the last minutes, AJ Dixon put the Wolves on the board as he sailed a signature 30-yarder over the play and in under the crossbar.
With the final whistle, the Wolves dynasty closed and with a whoop, the undefeated Pigs put their hands on the hardware that in past tournaments had escaped their grasp.
"We'll let you rent it for a year," was the sporting taunt from Wolves' captain Ian Dixon.
The men's teams would like to thank Sean Whalen and Gary Benner for administering the league this season and to all the referees as well. Any men new to the Coast who are turning 30 are welcome to come out and play in September.
