By, Danny Caro
1 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Norstar A regained the Rose & Joe Silverstone Memorial Trophy with a 3-1 win in their final match with the Norstar Old Boys, thanks to a hat-trick from player-manager Phil Peters.
The A's had won the opening match 2-1 against the B team with Nick Hudson and Eli Houri scoring sublime lobs over the hapless Evans, whose focus appeared to be more on the afternoon's cricketing curtain-raiser than the final day of the football season. Harry Abrams grabbed a late goal with another terrific chip but it was not to be enough.
In the second game, the B's raced into a three goal lead against the NOBs through Andrew Charles and a brace from Josh Green before Matt Leader, a NOB-in-the-making, pulled one back for the Masters.
After half-time it was more of the same as Jonny Kay and Adam Seres extended the lead to 5-1 and whilst Dale Bradman and Adam Posner (sons of famous NOBs Greg and Ant) reduced the deficit, the win meant that going into the final game, all three sides stood a chance of winning the trophy.
Fresh from an hour's break, the A's started well against a NOBs side that blended youth and experience however they struggled to find a way through until shortly before the break when Peters latched on to a terrific cross from Brad Starr, one of the stars of the youth academy, to give the A's the lead.
It was to prove a fatal blow to the NOBs as following a quick turnaround, Peters put away a second, and then a third after some incredibly unselfish play from David Shamash in the NOBs penalty area. Despite lacking the energy to celebrate at the time, Peters would later dedicate his hat-trick to his late great-grandparents, after whom the Trophy is dedicated.
Norstar A captain Jeremy Elster lifted the Trophy, the first in his career after a string of runners-up medals, receiving it from Barbara Ross, daughter of Rose and Joe and matriarch of the Peters and Silverstone families, who have run Norstar and the Old Boys since the late 70s.
Jeremy Silverstone, NOBS Director of Footballs, Pump and First Aid Kit, paid tribute to the Old Boys after what might have been their final season together: "I'm sure Rose and Joe would have been kvelling to see such a marvellous event. It's such a privilege to be a part of the Norstar family and knowing that we are passing the baton to such an extraordinary bunch of young men in the two MSFT teams is heart-warming.
"It absolutely exemplifies the Dor Vador ethos of family and community life, and we are immensely proud. Playing for a veterans team against such talented, well-mannered lads is just about the most fun you can have whilst losing and we look forward to losing against them again next year!"