Guest Piece - My Culinary Experience in the West Indies

When the PFF asked me to do a culinary blog on my test match to the West Indies, I deliberated before agreeing to deliver it an international flavour. It was a mystery of what I would be served? However, it was the best food I have ever tasted at a sporting event.

There is competing food outlets at the venue, with many serving goat curry, patties, jerk chicken and pork, fried chicken and other Caribbean delights. It was superb and is what happens when you have many small businesses with chefs cooking the food.

The patty was breakfast for Day 1, as I arrived at this magnificent home of cricket in Jamaica. It was slightly spicier than a normal pie, but was a familiar taste of home. As a former British colony the influences were clear. I then snuck into the Kingston Cricket Club at lunch time and tried the Goat Curry, amongst an historic clubroom with data of many players 100’s and double centuries at grounds around the world. For club food, it was good, but spicy and the food in the rest of the stands were much better. With beer and water being delivered to seats, it was heaven and an experience you just don’t get at test matches in Australia. I mean, a breeze all day, shade that I didn't get at the WACA and now they are serving beers to our seats. Fair to say, that I was in seventh heaven.

Day 2-4 I tried Jerk Pork, Chicken, Fried Chicken, often served with rice, banana chips and more patties.

The food was $5-6 and was incredibly filling for that lunch time break. I noticed that on Day 1, the Hot Dog stand was right outside of the Fanatics tour groups area and it sold out before the end of the day, they didn't make this mistake on future days.

As I prepare myself for the Aussie Cricket summer, I find that the whole days experience, $20 tickets, cheap food, a strong breeze that lasts all day will not be replicated when I get back to the WACA for the test series. Not only was there great food, Sabina Park is a truly special venue. It is one of the world’s great cricket venues with a presence and feel that is not replicated in my home cities test venue. However walking to a test from home will be a special experience.

Perhaps the one sad element was the potential that future tests will be no more in the Caribbean. Young kids want to play Twenty/20, Walsh’s bar has been overtaken by Gayle's and the world game is far more popular with the youth of Jamaica. 1000 Australian’s took advantage of the romanticism that is a journey for cricket to the grounds of Sobers, Richards and Lara. How many more years will young Australian’s like myself get to experience the magic of test cricket in the Caribbean?

Views and opinions expressed in this article represent the guest writer and not of the Punctual Football Fan.

Force of the Brumbies

The ACT Brumbies were just too good against the Western Force on Friday night at nib Stadium with a 33-20 win. While I am a supporter of perhaps some historically poorer performing teams in their life-spans you have to ask yourself about how much can a fan tolerate of atrocious performances after ten years of being in the competition. While it definitely tests you, you know that you will be back next year to cheer them on to try and improve. I guess it's like an addicted gambler; they just say "one more time" in the hope that they will come good.

Was 21-6 at half time to the visitors and with two late tries for the Force it certainly made the scoreline look impressive. I once again did not purchase any food there at the ground due to the prices and poor quantity and average quality. However members bar with full strength alcohol was at 8 dollars was worth having a pint or 2 to get something out of the average match.

While I continue to avoid food at nib I encourage you all to keep bringing in your food if you can or eat elsewhere close by before getting to the venue. Soft drinks are 5 dollars each so I wouldn't buy those either at the ground.

Whitfords in Command at White City

Ventured to Maddington today to see the White City take on Whitfords. It was from start to finish Whitfords in complete control running out 6-1 winners. Maddington's commanding tall midfielder was always in the thick of the action running constantly the full length of the pitch and floating into different roles. The heroics were not enough to put more goals on the board as Whitfords were just too strong for the home side. Whitfords had a vocal travelling contingent and was great to see they made the trip down to support the first team.

Beers and cool drink were cheap as I have been there for a function a while ago and the staff were friendly and accommodating. Had some Slovenian cola called Cockta and I must say it took me back. Haven't had this for a while and I forgot just how delicious it was and it was only 3 dollars so was brilliant while watching the football! Sadly there wasn't anything I could find that was substantial to eat during the game which was a bit of a shame. Although plenty of beers on offer and ice cold!

Hamersley Out-sail Kingsley in Wet Conditions

Kingsley played host to Hamersley Rovers in very wet, windy and muddy conditions at Chichester on A-League final day, while it was a fine crisp clear evening in Melbourne the opposite was the case for the afternoon in the west.

Both teams really couldn't dominate due to the wet conditions and it never was going to be easy with the pitch not the greatest at draining the water away with pools of water forming miniature lakes around the boundary. While Kingsley and Hamersley tried to keep the ball along the ground as much as possible to try and stick to their normal game plans as if it was a nicer sunny day, at times the long ball had to be deployed as it was very hard to move the ball around with the water.

Hamersley hit the lead in the first half but it looked like Kingsley were threatening to score but no goal came in the first half. While the conditions worsened, few mistakes were made with passing and with Kingsley pushing for the equaliser it finally came mid way through the second half.

Kingsley were not to collect the spoils of the points as Hamersley stung them towards the end of the match to run out soaked, muddied and exhausted 2-1 winners. Was a great match to see in such trying conditions where it could have been worse and a lop sided score.

Food there was excellent, despite the freezing conditions you had to eat your food quickly or it would go cold! Beers were 5 dollars and cool drinks at 2 dollars. Chips and gravy was only 4 dollars and a burger 5. Very delicious but got to eat them fast or they would be horribly cold. They have eftpos facilities there which i thought was brilliant as not everyone has copious amounts of cash on them at hand.

If you happen to be in the area and a game is on, head down there and have a drink and watch Kingsley play you'd be glad that you fell over yourself to see it.

Gwelup Triumph in Eight Goal Thriller

Gwelup Croatia played host to Kwinana United on a brilliant Sunday afternoon at the Croatian Sporting Complex and served up a treat for all to see. Gwelup were just simply too good against the visitors and at half time the score was 3 goals to nil for the home side. A series of unfortunate  events from the visitors through poor passes and lack of communication saw a rampant Gwelup pounce on these moments and put 5 goals past them in the second half. It was all one way traffic and the poor Kwinana goalkeeper made a few errors that he had wished he hadn't done. Game was 8 goals to nil to Gwelup.
I know I have said earlier about North Perth looking the goods but you also have to consider Gwelup Croatia to make a good fist of it for the race to the title.
Unfortunately the kitchen at Gwelup is going through some renovations and I couldn't sample the fine delights of the cevapi variety like in previous encounters and therefore they had no chips left which was a shame. Their beers on the other had are always a talking point and 6 dollars for Osujsko and Karlovacko always going down smoothly when watching an equally smooth performance on the park. I could have gone across the road to Gwelup IGA but thought against it when the goals were piling on the scoreboard.

Will be interesting to see if Gwelup's star recruit will be the key man to get them the title this year as already the football has been great to watch!

North Perth Put Queens Park to the Sword

North Perth United were once again impressive showing that they are a team to watch this season with a convincing victory over Queens Park at Coker Park on a cool Sunday afternoon that became extremely dark, grey then the heavens opened up to put a dampener on the good afternoon.

North Perth had all the answers from start to finish by just controlling the game with Queens Park only venturing forward on a few occasions. Had a few close calls however they weren't enough to register on the score sheet unfortunately for the home side. When the rain fell Queens Park fell away as the wet treacherous conditions played into the visitor's hands by adding two more goals onto the score sheet. The match ended 4-0 in favour of North Perth United. Although they are mid-table after 4 matches into the season with the games I have seen so far, they are a team to watch.

I must say it has been a while since I have graced the Coker Park clubrooms and the home of Queens Park, memories of former glories are felt as you walk in and while I have to say it's a shame that they aren't up there with the rest it is great that they are still around and playing. A credit to all the players, club-men, fans, friends and family who continue to support Queens Park.

The selection of food was ideal for the afternoon being colder and needing a pick me up but I opted for a hot dog which was for 3 dollars. Now for a place like this it is worth every dollar and you don't expect anything more or less unlike Domain stadium; it is what it is. Was rather nice but bread was a tad dry though. They had hamburgers for 5 with the lot and pies for 3 dollars. So if you want a cheap feed and watch some football in the Cannington area I suggest you might make a stop here on a Sunday afternoon.
Cool drinks were all 2 dollars and I think beers were 5 dollars however I was on the 7 dollar ciders which for 500mL was brilliant value!

Queens Park shouldn't feel bad about the result against North Perth. Despite obviously wanting to win at home, losing to a side that have started the season very strongly and beaten teams convincingly should be some consolation for the result. The quality of this season has been excellent so far and what an exciting season we could have on our hands.

Force Try to Weather the Storm

Western Force took on the Stormers on a cool Saturday night and simply were not strong enough to get across the line falling 6-13. The Force were showing good signs for the ;last 60 minutes of the game however the sheer strength of the Stormer defence proved too great. Perhaps the Force should have gone for penalties but credit to them for trying to go for maximum points via a try.
You wouldn't mind to see the Force play and even lose like that as there were not glaring unforced errors or lines of poor communication. They fought hard but with a far heavier and more compact opposition it was always going to prove a challenge. That is what the game is about and you can walk away from that not angered by the valiant efforts made by the home side.

As I arrived to the game after work I had to unfortunately purchase something from the venue. crisps and a coke were 10.50! Although the bag was of the larger size that is no reason to have it at such a price! Once again i saw expensive food and beverage options but as I was eating myself from the inside after work I had to fall victim of the stupid high prices of nib stadium. That would make a Force supporter walk away from the game with an angry demeanour!

So next time I must try and not buy anything from nib as I will use their 'anti-slogan'; "It's not worth it!".