Sheffield
Sheffield. Where Hallam live. Dear, dear, dear…The journey up started on the Friday night (as per usual), and other than a quick magnum break, and a little bit of confusion as to where the hell we were actually supposed to go, we all managed to convene at our lodgings for the evening. In a style now synonymous with the Cardiff Uni team we went out to the Sheffield SU and proceeded to get a few drinks down us. When the union bar shut the sensible members of the team decided to go home and get some rest, whereas Nathan, Rich and I decided to head into FROUK(?) the Union nightclub…Then a curry house…That served beer. Rolling in around 3.30am the intrepid trio, joined by house owner Ravi, stumbled across a new cocktail - the likes of which has never been seen before:
Ingredients:
Bottle of Vodka, Can of Perry, Milk, Crème caramel, Tomato Puree, Mixed Herbs, Tabasco, Lemon Curd.
Method:
Take one saucepan. Empty all ingredients into saucepan. Whisk contents. Pour into mugs. Comment on likeness to cuppa-soup. Drink heartily, refilling when necessary.
About 6am we went to bed. At about 8am we were woken up. We were tired.
The tournament started at some godforsaken hour, with a freshly arrived Terry and Jaqui constituting 90% of the team's energy between them. The first match was against Lancaster, who I was told afterwards we lost to. I lay down on the floor during the match at one point, and couldn't actually see the basket when I was asked to take a penalty, so we'll put that one down to experience. Strong performances from everyone other than Jack saw some good results throughout the day - the aforementioned only pulling his finger out to score the clincher in a 1-0 demolition of Hallam. I don't know where we finished, but I think it was relatively high, and a team that boasted a real mix of experience and raw talent should be proud of their accomplishments having never really played together before.
Returning from the tournament we found all our stuff had been put into bin bags and thrown into the back garden of the place we were staying. Probably not what we've come to expect at korfball tournaments, but explained given the relationship between the housemates and our late night hi-jinks…maybe. We found somewhere else to stay though, with a double bed and a tower of beer cans. Howzat?
However, this was all a bit too much drama for the majority of the team who decided to depart that evening back to the sunny shores of Wales (after grabbing a swift one at 'spoons), leaving myself and Rich to mix it up for the Cardiff crew at the social. The fancy dress theme proved popular. Rich chatted to randoms while I abandoned him, and went off to win a bag of sweets in the pass the balloon game. I even got drunk enough to talk to someone from Hallam…that was before immediately sobering up with the memory of weeks passed. Good times. Good tournament. Huge thanks goes out to Ravi for taking it in his stride.
Captain J
|
We scanned the competition, no need to look concerned. |
|
FFiioonnaass. |
|
Hmm, a knowing smile from Caz there... |
|
Elly brings along her life size, realistic, inflatable, Beckybear to hug. |
|
"What? Playing? When?" |
|
Jack contemplates the amount we drank the night before... |
|
Contrary to popular belief, the lights were on, and someone was just about home! |
|
Hmm, I don't know about you, but that look says to me, "Point that camera somewhere else, NOW!" |
|
I've heard cameras can capture some strange phenomena, but ghost balls? (Basketball) |
|
A freak gust of wind gives Elly perpendicular hair. |
|
I can't remember, but it was funny, you had to be there. |
|
Caz and Craig try to start a trend in two-person 'peek-a-boo'. I don't think it really caught on though. |
|
Do you think Fiona got the ball in? Or maybe she's just won a game of 'I spy'? I spy, with my little eye, something beginning with 'C'... |
|
Sometimes I hate practical jokes, especially on court. Who's moved Jacqui's chair? |
|
Careful Terry, I think he's going for the 'Crane Kick'- Mr Miyagi style. |
|
So is it? a) "Hey, it may be cute and button like, but keep it out!" or b) "Smell my finger" By the way, that's not my finger, I'm not that way inclined... |
|
Fiona has a quick 'nose' through Caroline's diary while she wasn't looking... |
|
Jacqui gives us a quick excerpt from her new stand up show. "So, there's this guy, and he's like..." |
|
Elly hears that the UV index has increased and decides to cover up. I didn't have the heart to tell her we were inside... |
|
Is it me, or is it just so fundamentally wrong for someone to look so insanely happy with a clipboard and pen in their hand? "Hello, I was wondering if I could stop you for a few moments and ask you a few questions..." |
|
Ah, evidence of the previous nights excesses starts to seep through my hangover. Looks like I'm having issues balancing on that red line there! |
|
If they hadn't had been talking, they would have noticed Jacqui run up the post, back flip on the ball, land on her feet and then score. Still, you've got your memories Jacqui. |
|
Hmm, I think that top's got more zip than it really needs... |
|
Catching a few 'Zs' inbetween games... I can't hack it anymore! |
