There were four players who took part in the Maricopa Cup seventh round.  Simon Hutchinson, Kevin Nieman and Wayne Smith were joined by Brian Hook.  This was Hook’s first tournament so he was allowed to use the Maricopa Newcomer rules.

In the first round of games Smith beat Nieman 4-0.  “Wayne was scoring at will, although I did get three shots off at goal,” was how Nieman described it.  Smith was 2-0 up at half time and scored the fourth goal with just 30 seconds remaining, causing the mercy rule to come into effect and end the game.

The Newcomer rules cause games not to have the same flow as one between experienced players.  The experienced player, in this game Hutchinson, had to wait upon newcomer, Hook, to take his flicks.  Hutchinson took an early lead and the first half ended 1-0.  The second goal came soon after half time.  And the third was scored when Hook had stranded his spare goalkeeper.

In the next round of games Hook was beaten 0-2 by Smith.  “That I only lost 2-0 to Wayne was a victory.”  Hook said after the game.

In a game of end-to-end action where both players had chances to score Nieman and Hutchinson’s game ended in a scoreless draw.  “Yet another draw with the elder Hutchinson.”  Nieman said as this was the eleventh draw between these two in 23 games.

In the final round of games Nieman beat Hook 2-0.

The surprise of the day was caused Hutchinson as he held Smith to a goalless draw.  This is the first time he had not been beaten by Smith with both players using their preferred teams.  And the first time in this year's Maricopa Cup Smith had failed to win.

“Simon’s defense was stifling.”  Smith said after the game.  Neither players’ team seemed to glide as well as they wanted as the pitch appeared stickier than it had been earlier due to the humidity.

“I think I only managed three shots.”  Smith continued.  “Simon saved two and the other struck the crossbar.  I really missed the width of the Mawra pitch.”  This game was played on a Astropitch.

“I had a great time,” Hook said at the end of the tournament.  As the competition progressed he showed a definite improvement with his flicking.  And he will be trying to cause an upset in next Saturday’s Buhe tournament.

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