Weavers Arms Cup Final Report

from SJ Berwin & Co.

SJ Berwin LLP vs. MacFarlanes

BERWIN BABES BRING HOME THE TROPHY

A long awaited day arrived on 27^th March 2008; the day all football enthusiasts of the firm have been waiting (15 years) for.  Yes it was SJ Berwin’s first ever appearance in a football cup final, a day for the firm to truly celebrate.  After a gruelling slog to the final, where the “Berwin Babes” beat the cream of the tournament including Field Fisher Waterhouse, Norton Rose and Freshfields, SJ Berwin were not going to let the occasion get the better of them.

So to the 32^nd Weavers Cup final, a final that needed a good start.  Unfortunately, for the Berwin Babes, it was Macfarlanes that came out of the blocks the quickest, and had it not been for some woeful finishing Macfarlanes could have wrapped the game up in the first ten minutes with Rob Carter twice hitting the bar from 4 yards out.  Berwin’s finally started to find the form and spirit that drove them to this final, and on 20mins, they clawed back into the game with Cass Weaver breaking through on goal and lobbing the keeper to perfection only for a brave goal line clearance from Nick Harris keeping the teams equal.  The half drew to a close with both teams unable to break each other down.  Just before the interval, Berwin’s conceded a petty foul outside the area in a dangerous position.  Macfarlanes midfield maestro Martin Henderson delivered a sweet free-kick that brought the best out of Del Smith who acrobatically tipped the goal bound ball wide of his right hand post to end the half at 0-0.

The second half see a tactical change with Lewis Phillips coming on for Dale Moulden and Shaun Tuck pushing back into the left back slot.  Berwin’s started to get stronger as the game progressed with their superior fitness levels showing as Macfarlanes started to drop with cramp, a great burst down the right flank and shot from Lewis Phillips saw keeper Charlie Pywell parry an effort off the line as Berwin’s piled on the pressure.  This pressure finally paid dividends when, on the 65^th minute, Cass Weaver delivered an inch perfect cross over from the right that fell nicely onto the head of Hamzah Collins to steer home from 8 yards out sending the 30 strong crowd into raptures and Macfarlanes to their knees.  Macfarlanes battled back bravely, with efforts that just could not beat the iron curtain of Del Smith. Tony Russell decided to shuffle the pack further with 20minutes remaining bringing on Martin Punt for Robin Bilea in an attempt to steady the ship, which nearly yielded immediate dividends.  A high looping ball into the area was met by Punt, just inside the 18 yard box, who steered the ball over the keepers head and into the net.  4 players celebrating what would have proved the final nail in the coffin meant that no-one noticed the linesman’s flag in the air, disallowing the goal and further adding to the tension.  However this was not to dampen the evening with tired legs on the pitch the final whistle was greeted by scenes of emotion from players and spectators alike - BERWIN’S HAD DONE IT, THEY HAD BROUGHT HOME THE WEAVERS CUP.

Macfarlanes, Freshfields, Ashurst, Baker & McKenzie, Clifford Chance, Herbert Smith, White & Case - your boys took one hell of a beating.