Get Used To It

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall advised Phoenix coach Rikki Herbert to "get used to it" after the Phoenix were reduced to ten men in their league match against Queensland. "It was supposed to have been an elbow in the face according to the referee" said Hall "but we get about ten of those a game in indoor and you don't see people hit the deck like that". Hall said Herbert should get used to not getting the rub of the green from referees. "Some teams just never seems to relate to referees and I know we've got a reputation that goes right back to the days of Smith and Riddle" said Hall "they're more of a legend at Shed 1 than Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Hall said Smith could at least celebrate something as his local Perth team awoke from their slumber to score four goals. "It was such a dream for Perth I half expected Smith to come on as a sub" said Hall "then I'd have known it was a nightmare".

Weekend Off

Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall (pictured) has given his side the weekend off training ahead of Rovers Division 1 clash against Harp Shooters. "John Cao was singing the praise of a break from the game after his week in Fiji" said Hall "and with some rare Wellington sunny weather forecast I think the boys should go to the beach". Hall said he was currently resting an unusual injury, tennis elbow. "I'm not sure this is what Fifa meant when they said referees should clamp down on the use of the elbow" said Hall "but I have to go round for the next six weeks with a brace type thingy on my elbow, which should cushion the blow for opposing players".

White In

After intense negotiations at the Occidental this afternoon Ben White has confirmed his long awaited come back math will be against Harpshooters at the Shed of Dreams. "Ben is still a little uncertain about playing with his groin" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "but let's face it you have to take a punt on your groin coming through sometimes". White was put through his paces running to the bar and came through with flying colours. "I wouldn't exactly say he was trying to bribe me for a spot in the team" said Hall "but he did seem to show a turn of speed running to the bar that hasn't been seen in the pub since Smith ran for the exit when it was his last round". Hall said White would be eased into the team and he wouldn't be looking at a full game first up. "We'll see if he can get his leg over the ball first" said Hall "it could be months before he gets his leg over anything else".

Hussey Out

Eddie Hussey declared himself unavailable for the match against Harpshooters next Wednesday saying he was having trouble with his facial hair. Many will remember the hysteria caused amongst local women when Hussey getting his chest shaved for charity and whilst this isn't expected to have quite the same impact, local nurses hostels have been warned to heighten security. "Eddie will do anything for charity" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "and whilst most people would settle for growing a mo to raise money for prostrate cancer research, Eddie will probably go overboard again and get something else shaved as well". Hall said the team fully supported Eddie's fund raising and had advised Wellington Indoor Sports to put in extra seating in case the nursing fraternity turned up in large numbers. "He's a nurse magnet" said Hall.

Cao Coup

John Cao returned to New Zealand today from Fiji an announced he is refreshed, fit and ready to face Harp Shooters next Wednesday at the Shed of Dreams. "I've had the lad doing some beach work whilst he was away" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "nothing like a bit of exercise in the sand to build your stamina". Cao indicated he was not implicated in the Fijian coup but in his revitalised state would pull of a coup against Harpshooters by scoring a hat-trick at least. "I've been getting a lot of European interest lately" said Cao "so if I do well for Rovers the Phoenix might pick me for one of their vacant positions". Cao said he'd been told his legs were of "TV quality" and he just needed a chance to parade them in front of the cameras.

Enforcer Out For Weeks

Zephyr Rovers hard man Colin McIntosh (pictured right) is expected to be out for three or weeks following his injury during the match against Infinity. "I'm glad it was Col who was involved in that incident as anyone else would have been out for the season" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "fortunately Col has concrete legs so it didn't have the impact it could have". Hall said John Cao had taken the week to swan around in Fiji so he would return next week. "John had better not have been organising a coup over there" said Hall "he's not as well suited to combat as Col is". Hall said they'd have to give George Nash (pictured left) the enforcer duties as an interim step "but we might have to toughen him up by throwing a few rocks at him".

Rovers Off To Good Start

Zephyr Rovers eclipsed Infinity today in a keenly fought contest at the Shed of Dreams. "We wanted a good start and I thought we looked to have lifted ourselves up a level from pre-season" said Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall "but they took the lead from a bizarre goal when a shot from well in their own half that trickled into the net after what looked like a deflection of the playing surface". Hall said he steeled himself in goal after that and the team went on with the business to get to a 4 - 1 lead at half time. "Matty was on fire and even found the time for one touch pass, a rarity for him" said Hall "but we went down to five men when Col (pictured) went off with an injury". The second half was tight with Hall coming out of goal to score and Infinity getting a consolation at the other end. "We never looked in danger once we took the lead and I thought we dominated the match" said Hall "but Infinity will beat teams I think so it is pleasing to get the points first match up".

Final: Rovers 5 Infinity 2