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F O O T B A L L
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Memoirs of an attendee
After such a rainy start to the day, luckily for us the skies cleared shortly after 3:00pm and we were able to start the football match. The 1st Eleven team came out dressed in their football jerseys, ready to go. They were undaunted as the past-students chanted and growled on the sideline (much posturing).
Since the Alumni players were eager to run the field to show their skills, Adam, aged 12yrs, son of Fred Redpath (graduate '79), served as the Alumni team goalkeeper during the game. No problem, the Alumni team members were confident that they would keep the 1st Eleven team confined to their own half so they wouldn't get within shot of goal anyway.
The match started in a flurry of action. The Alumni players took some time to 'settle the ball' and many a wayward kick sent the ball out of bounds. They also found themselves challenged by the field conditions as well as youthful skill. By half-time the score was 2:1 in favour of the 1st Eleven. During the break, the Alumni team organized calculated substitutions and worked on the strategic placement of players.
Back on the field for the second half, the 1st Eleven team showed surprising resilience and despite determined efforts from the Alumni players, repeatedly broached the Alumni defence line leaving our underaged goalie to fend off a barrage of shots at goal – admittedly, ONLY 5 well-placed shots found their way through. The match ended in 7 goals to1 in favour of the 1st Eleven team. However, we had no winners and no losers as the game was all in fun. For the spectators, it was quite entertaining to watch the muddy game – brought back good memories.
After the game, Mrs.Strudwick blessed us with her cooking once more with oxtail, curry goat and jerk chicken meals for dinner which went down well with Jamaican sodas and Red Stripe Beer. What a great way to wrap up a wet but wonderful day.