Buhe is a ceremony of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church held on the night of August 18 - 19 where people go around their town or village singing songs of praise outside other's homes.

There was plenty to sing about in the Southern California Subbuteo Club’s Buhe tournament. Newcomer Brian Hook scored his first goal in a tournament, and there was a bizarre own goal caused by a goalkeeping error.

The tournament started with Hook facing the formidable force of Wayne Smith. Hook twice stranded his spare goalkeeper leaving his goal unprotected, and Smith took full advantage of these mistakes.

“I scored two goals when his keeper gave up possession,” said Smith. “The other goal was really nice. The shooter squeezed between two defenders and scored off the inside of the goal post”.

In the closest game of the day Simon Hutchinson ended a run of three ties with Kevin Nieman winning the game with a late goal.

“This was the most competitive and best game I have ever played against Kevin,” Hutchinson said after the game.

“It was an amazing match,” continued Nieman. “This is the first time I have gone an entire half without a goal kick for either side. Despite that Simon scored with just five seconds left. It made all my effort for naught.”

In his second game Hook faced Steve Tucker. “I finally had a good shot at goal with a nice set up,” Hook said.

His opponent described it as “He passed the ball between two defenders to a guy on the wing. His final touch let him down.

“It was a good game. Brian played good defense and I had to work for my goal,” Tucker continued.

Hook went one better in his next game against Hutchinson. Despite losing Hook excitedly exclaimed “I scored my first goal! I just managed to touch the ball over the shooting line and shot before Simon was ready.”

Smith proved yet again that he is the SCSC’s best player with 4-0 wins over Tucker and Nieman. Nieman was speechless and all Tucker could say was “Wayne rules.”

“I am pretty close to speechless,” Wayne said after his game with Tucker. “I made my key flicks and Steve was not as consistent as he was two weeks ago.” Two weeks ago, in the Werder Weekly, Tucker had tied Smith in one game and had dominated the first 20 minutes of the second.

Following his rout by Smith, Nieman bounced back to beat Tucker. “This is the first time I have ever beaten Steve,” said Nieman. “I capitalized on my one opportunity to score. It was a shot that went in into the lower right (corner of the goal). And Steve pressed me hard after that. He was lined up straight at my goal with 20 seconds left, and he shot straight at my keeper. So I won by the skin of my teeth, and I am very happy.”

“Kevin took his chances,” responded Tucker. “He was worried after he scored and his goalie did a good job. The last save gave Kevin the game.”

Smith completed his clean sweep of the tournament with a 1-0 victory over Hutchinson. Smith did not have it all his way as Hutchinson struck Smith’s post twice and his cross bar once. “Simon played tough defense,” said Smith. “My goal was from a shot that went under the torso of his keeper.”

The final game of the day produced a truly bizarre incident.

Tucker’s persistent pressure upon Hutchinson’s defense paid off and he took the lead in the first half. Hutchinson equalized early on in the second with a quick break from defense.

With three minutes remaining in the game Tucker scored the bizarre own goal. Hutchinson had shot and the ball had struck the foot of the goal post and stopped there. Tucker touched the ball with his keeper to gain possession. After Hutchinson’s outstanding defense flick Tucker attempted to push the ball out to his defense using his keeper. Some how he managed to drag the ball into his own goal.

The remaining two minutes of play saw all 20 figures in Hutchinson’s half as he defended in numbers and Tucker pushed everyone forward as he sought to find a way through the defense.

“As this was my first win over Steve I wish I had scored the winner,” said the elated Hutchinson after the game. “But a goal is a goal, even if it is an own goal”.

The SCSC also raised $40 for Eyes family while Paul fights his battle with non-Hodgkin lymphoma. We all wish Paul the best with this battle and that he will make a full recovery soon.

Tournament results and final table»