The Royals just barely got their net put up when the Heavens let loose a downpour that was sure to dampen the spirits of any keen soccer enthusiast. Ken Slemko missed most of the pre-game rainstorm, opting to be fashionably late. Too bad he had the game shirts in his car, which left his teammates more than a little inconvenienced and their change of shirts soaked.

Slemko, approaching the game in typical casualness, showed up wearing his Adidas sandals, severely underestimating this week's opposition, the Osgoode Rideau Rangers. Coach Harry Van Dyk pointed out the error in Slemko's ways and promptly sent him home to get his soccer boots.

The Royals didn't know what to expect from the Rangers after analyzing recent league results. Despite the heavy rain, the pre-game activities turned into a reunion of sorts when the assigned referee, George Said - a one time Royal, recognized and kibitzed with many of his former colleagues. Any worries of Said over-compensating for his former ties with the Club were quickly put to rest when he also recognized and heckled Scott Hendersen (of the battling Hendersen clan) and Brian Thom on the Rangers. Said would go on to run the game in his own distinctive and provocative style, without any hint of bias, equally chastising both teams when they dared question his judgement.

Despite the downpour, which continued through the start of the game, the Centennial Field in Manotick - named after ageless wonder Andy Steele, held up remarkably well. The wet grass proved treacherous, with the ball skipping out of control at every chance until the players became accustomed to the conditions. The Royals were first to adjust and dominated. Unlike the Chelsea game the previous week, returning defenders Michel Fournier (hamstring) and Fergus MacDonald (vacation) allowed the usual midfield to remain intact. With Graham Cathcart covering sideline to sideline, Nigel Parker and Mario Arnone were free to support the attack and stop many counter attacks before they could develop. Early on, Cathcart sent a free kick just over the bar; Marwan Kassis & Brian Harcombe both missed chances of their own. Arnone went far post to Kassis, who one timed a shot the keeper caught a yard inside the left post - but George said APlay on@ from his vantage point at centre field. Finally, taking matters into his own hands, Nigel Parker in support of Kassis who had worked his way out of the left corner, took Marwan=s pass at the six yard box and went short side under the keeper=s outstretched leg.

Buoyed by this early success and the subsiding rain, the Royals pressed on. Sweeper Paul Dickins took possession of a long clearing ball up the middle. Sensing that he was unchallenged, Dickins sprinted up the middle of the park. The Osgoode defenders parted like the Red Sea, giving Paul a clear path to the Rangers net with only the sweeper to beat. As the sweeper took aim and moved into position, Paul deftly touched the ball to Cathcart running parallel and just ahead, but still onside. Graham took the pass in full stride, raced passed the distracted sweeper and finished his chance with no lack of confidence. A stunning blow to strike at that point in the game.

The Rangers put up a bit more resistance and had some opportunities of their own just after both teams made their first substitutions. The Royals had many breaks of their own, but George said they were offside. Larry Everett was more than capable with the wet conditions and was equal to the shots the Rangers did manage to get through the defense. However, some shabby marking and a poor clearing attempt from a nameless midfielder caused the only Royals blemish just before the halftime. After a close in free kick which was stopped by the wall at the 18 yard box, Cathcart barely got to the rebound, just enough to poke it into the middle of the park. With half the wall remaining intact and the other half playing the offside trap, the ensuing through ball was left unchallenged. The only other player paying attention happened to be the Rangers' striker who greedily gobbled up the pass and buried it behind Larry before he could cover his angle. The 2-1 score at halftime served the Royals no justice. Again, too many opportunities were wasted, leaving the game closer than it should have been.

The second half saw the sun come out and tease the players, temporarily blinding them. Or was it the brilliance of the now properly booted Slemko that was to start on the left flank? The Royals pressed as before, but were again turned away by the formidable sweeper Scott Henderson at every chance.

The Rangers were equally dangerous in their counter attacks, but the Royals back four held their ground. The versatile Matthew Blackwell made his career debut at fullback as coach Harry suddenly realized he had too many substitutes. Blackwell, the consummate pro that he is, took the new assignment in stride.

The Royals soon got the insurance goal when a Rangers' defender inexplicably swatted a ball sailing over his head. Since he was standing in the penalty area, even boy George, the referee, couldn=t screw up this call. Marwan Kassis took the penalty with the confidence of an accomplished striker and the score was now 3-1.

Arnone moved into the back four allowing Jeff McNamee to wander forward and be creative. After several diving headers, through balls, misdirection plays and changes of pace, wrong way McNamee once again proved that his best position might indeed be stopper. Coach VanDyk continued his liberal and sometimes questionable substitution policy, much to the chagrin of the cranky Larry Everett. With the shutout long gone and his arthritic ankles soaked to the bone, Larry=s frustration mounted as Harry sent wave after wave of players into the game, effectively breaking up any continuity that was building in the middle of the park. In fairness to Harry, his attempt to keep everybody involved in this soggy affair should have been better received by our combative keeper. If the Royals were half as good at finishing their chances, this game was a goner a long time ago. This fuelled an exchange of less than pleasantries between the two senior members of the team that wasn=t really necessary and only caused embarrassment to the assembled wet fans on the Royals bench area. Eventually, cooler heads prevailed and the Royals effectively played keep away with the ball until full time.

The post game celebrations served to be a continuance of the reunion with Brian Thom, as he came over to discuss the ancient Royals' days of our youth when we were in our late teens and Andy Steele was our old coach. Wonder what that makes him now... (An immediate answer springs to mind, but decorum prevents its utterance. Ed).