There were those who had no faith. Some said it couldn't be done. However, words and sentiments can never hold back true champions. We entered the season as last year's wooden spooners. We were not fazed, finishing the season fourth. We entered the finals, valiently holding the last spot available. Three games against the three best teams in the tournament - Real Fisica, F&S strikers, and RSBS. Real Fisica fell, like so many others. They didn't see a soccer team that had pushed their way to fourth, but a bunch of chemists who ahd finished last in 2007. Two RSC goals in the first 10 minutes sealed the fate, arrogance being their downfall.
Similarly F&S let pride rule their game. Early goals to our imported fowards Neil (Scotland) and Nick (Netherlands I think), followed by a late goal to Neil kicked the most hated team out of the tournament (F&S are a bunch of cheats).
I take the ball through the middle against the cheats
This left only RSBS. Biologists. Stamp collecters. Soccer players. The last game of the season saw us playoff, in which we had lost 1-0. But this was a new game. This was the Grand Final. And unbeknown to them, this time we had a full sqaud. They had come through the season nearly undefeated and had held the top spot on the ladder all year. Unlike the other finals contenders RSBS recognized that we had not made the finals through chance. The played well, they played strong. They scored a goal. The goal was scrappy. The goal was messy, but for the first time in this finals series we were staring at defeat. At halftime we were a confused huddle. We were losing what could we do. There was only one obvious answer - give the ball to Neil. Five minutes in to the second half his sublime skills and powerful right foot found the ball in the back of the net. One all and RSBS turned up the heat. Their constant attacks up their left wing met a solid wall of RSC defenders.
The Defence team (minus Katie and Zatish). Solid as a rock.
The defence constantly jumping on any loose ball, calls of 'no shot, no shot' filled the air as RSBS strikers tried to break the deadlock. It was a sudden break that finished the game. With only a few minutes to go a striker sped up the right wing, ball at his feet, trailed by a string of defenders vainly trying to put a stop the fleeing man. Suddenly the striker was confronted with a goal keeper as well, unfazed the forward unselfishly slots the ball across the face of the goal splitting the defenders and goal keeper perfectly. At the far post one striker and one defender strove to be the first to the ball. Each one to be a hero to their team. Poised in majesty they stretched the feet, the ball riccocheting of Neils foot - across the line - into the goal. A forest of arms shot into the air. The loud cheers rocked the nearby sports union.
The RSC soccer team. 2008 Purple Shin's champions.
RSBS watched on in stunned silence. It was game over. There was nothing they could do. RSC had won. For the first time in thirty years the purple shin (we think its actually a femur) graces our Foyer. Once again chemists all over can stand tall on the soccer field...
Some of us had important research to do. However we also had important drinking and celebrating to do.
Just look at tht trophy!
1 comment:
Bravo, RSC Soccer!
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