A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.
Davie Ure had seen it dozens of times up close, but this time he was watching as opposing coach.
The relaxed approach, instant control, drop of the shoulder and economy of movement . . . and next moment the ball would be swirling at the bottom of the net, and Nic Somerton would turn and lope back to the centre-circle.
Former Thistle Massive coach John Stirton called them Batman and Robin, such was the understanding between strike partners Ure and Somerton, and they usually ended up with around the same number of goals for the season.
Latterly they've played together less often. Ure was pressed into first-team service and Somerton continued tucking the goals away in the Eastern League.
Now Ure is recovering from knee surgery and coaching Gisborne Vehicle Testing Thistle Reserves in Eastern League 1.
On Saturday they played clubmates Carpet Court Thistle Massive and after 20 minutes Somerton said “Hi” to his old strike partner with a typical Nic Somerton goal.
Matias Pincini played the ball in to Somerton, who received it on the edge of the penalty area, dropped his shoulder, turned and smacked it low and hard into the bottom left-hand corner.
Ure had the last laugh, though. The Reserves won the match 2-1.
Midfielder Agustin Ventre scored from the penalty spot before halftime, and striker Joel Beattie grabbed the winner about 15 minutes into the second half.
The move that led to the penalty started with Reserves central midfielder and man of the match Alex Davies passing the ball to Oska Smith on the right flank.
Davies made a good run into the penalty area to meet Smith's first-time return pass and was brought down by a defender.
The Reserves' second goal came after a half-cleared ball was knocked forward again. It looked as if it would go out for a goal kick but spun back into play and Justo Rodriguez — just back from a spell working in the South Island — squared it to striker Joel Beattie, who scored with a first-time shot from eight metres.
Ure was pleased that the younger members of his team stood up to the physical challenge of a keenly contested senior first division match.
He said Davies had a barnstorming game and was in the thick of the action, Beattie led the attack well, Smith impressed with his pace, distribution and willingness to get stuck in, and fullback Andre Riley had another strong game in which his tackling, chasing back and forward runs were features.
Ure said the midfield was congested in the first half, so the Reserves changed from a 4-3-3 formation to 4-4-2, with the intention of getting the ball out wide, and it worked.
Massive player-coach Craig Stirton has taken over the reins from his father John, and says he has new appreciation of what his father did for all those years.
“We had a pretty good first half but lost our way a bit in the second,” Craig Stirton said.
Mike Rogers was solid at sweeper, and Ramiro Caeiro was Massive's man of the match with a grafting defensive display.
Up front, Juan Celano created chances with his unselfish running and skilful play, while Somerton always threatened to pull something out of the bag.
Massive are grateful to utility player Rory White, who has agreed to play in goal for them while Raymond Rickard recovers from cracked ribs.
In the other first division game, Heavy Equipment Services United were too strong for Thistle Development.
United won 5-0, first-half goals coming from centreback Jonathan Purcell's far-post header off a Damon Husband right-wing corner after 10 minutes and striker Stu Cranswick's powerful finish from just inside the penalty area after being put through with a ball from central midfield in the 25th minute.
Speedy central midfielder Ben Hansen closed a goalmouth scramble in emphatic fashion with a hard strike from just inside the penalty area in the 55th minute to make it 3-0.
Cranswick struck again in the 70th minute, controlling a cross about the penalty spot and guiding the ball into goal.
Hansen completed the scoring when he chased down a through ball and, under pressure from three defenders, got the decisive touch to put it past the keeper.
Coach Chris Adams said Cranswick made life hard for those marking him and was constantly looking for work and opportunities to attack the goal. He was well supported up front by Noy Paull, who received and passed well.
Hansen's non-stop running and willingness to keep things simple and make the easy pass were invaluable assets.
Adams also praised defenders Matt McFatter, Purcell, Matt Adams and Kim Perano for keeping it tight at the back.
Thistle Development coach Ross Niven said the standout players in his side were goalkeeper PJ Goodlett, hard-tackling centreback Brad Hill, skilful midfield schemer Cory Thomson and marauding striker Levi Julies.
Eastern League 2: Coates Associates Wainui Demons 2 1st Class Decorators Wainui Salty Dogs 10, Smash Palace Shockers 2 HES United Thirds 2, HES United 0 Thistle Vintage 3, Tatapouri Bohemians 4 Gisborne Pro Roofing Bohemians 1, QRS Wairoa Athletic 2 ITM Thistle 3.
Eastern League women: Bohemians 3 Gisborne Girls' High School 1, Campion 1 HES United 6, Neighborhood Pizzeria Wainui Wahine 4 Tatapouri Marist Thistle 0.