march 2009 - Fitzwilliam College - University of Cambridge

Serita Rana
Reunion Women’s Football
Saturday 27 September saw the homecoming to
brilliant Billy of twelve ripe old goats, coming to graze
on a plentiful, lush field of green on a warm, Indian
summer’s day. The ‘Old Girls’’ team, with a fine
breadth of ages and a depth of experience over the
years, descended upon Oxford Road, ready to put boots
back on for the sake of Billy pride and to re-live some
very fond memories.
This year the Oldies boasted a full side – and a
substitute! Confidence was high for teaching the new
goats some old tricks and endeavouring to prove that
experience and selection could beat youth and regular
practice.
The Old Girls lost the toss; whistle blew and battle
commenced. The Old Girls kept possession of the ball
well, with veteran maestros Marston and Hargreaves
linking up impressively well to create chances. Poetry
in motion, skill and commitment personified. Pithy
Parmar looked lively in the box, missing a shot on
target early in the game, but making several more
chances later on. The New Girls battled hard in
midfield to win the ball and made the occasional break
into the opposition’s half, but the rock-solid defence
of Ball, Haque, Hughes and Munro put a quick end
to any New Billy glory, chasing every ball down with
speed and dexterity.
Chopper Stavri was tested only briefly in goal with
a few light shots, quickly taking the goal kicks and
spreading them down the flanks to rapid Redsell and
the Waller-Watson wing-machine. Plumley didn’t stop
for breath, as she darted left and right, to and fro over
the middle ground, to join up with the flankers.
Nil–nil at the half-time whistle and a welcome rest.
Quartered oranges, drinks and review of tactics. Worry
that weary legs might not bear up as well against those
of the fresh New Billy …
Round 2. Current girls charged at the Oldies with
vengeance, causing tired limbs to tire even faster … but
the old fortress held fast and repelled the enemy, time
after time! Until … in the minute of the final whistle,
Women’s Football at the Reunion
New Billy pounced on their chance, penetrated the
defence and caught the keeper unawares, to score
the clincher! Gutted…
Three cheers for Billy!
Disheartened, yet content; exhausted, yet replete,
the Old Billies trotted off into the sunset, bleating at
the prospect of the rematch the following year …
hopefully, with a bit more ammunition in the way of
legs! A superb afternoon.
The old girls would like to thank new captain
Jess Cole for organising the opposition and warmly
welcoming the Oldies; the referee, for an efficient and
fair performance; and to Fitz for putting on the event
and inviting us all back! Roll on next year.
Theo Stavri (1997) – captain, GK; Jenny Ball (2002),
LB; Sherry Haque (2000), RB; Ellie Hughes (2002), CB;
Rachel Munro (1988), CB; Abbie Waller (2003), LW;
Georgie Redsell (2002), RW; Lila Plumely (2000), CM;
Catherine Marston (1994) CM; Alpa Parmar (1997), CF;
Caireen Hargreaves (1994), CF; Jenny Watson (2003)
substitute.
THEO STAVRI (1997)
PAST V PRESENT CRICKET MATCH
To arrange the annual reunion cricket match for the
weekend of the summer solstice, the longest day of
the year, is in Cambridge to guarantee inclement
weather. True, in 2008 the rain hardly called for
gabardines and galoshes, but the persistent Pennine
drizzle mist was at best unseasonal and at worst risked
the cancellation of the game. The Gods, however,
had reckoned without the heroic determination of
the Groundsman to ensure a punctual start. Dave
Norman’s creative solutions to the seemingly perennial
problems posed by precipitation are nothing if not
Heath-Robinson-esque in their effectiveness.
Thus, at the appointed hour, the two captains
strode to the wicket to maintain the charade that the
course of the game was to be decided by the toss of a
coin. Regrettably Ollie West, the College captain, had
not been correctly briefed that the afternoon’s sport
could not so riskily be left to chance, and had naively
assumed that he had a 50–50 chance of winning the
toss. Simon Jackson, well-versed in the Machiavellian
management of these matters firmly, gently and hastily
disabused young Ollie, and as usual the Past XI took to
the field allowing the College first use of the strip.
Kokri, resuming from last year’s unbeaten 50, and
Iqbal began brightly against Maidment and Wilson, so
brightly that Wilson soon retired hurt (a tactical injury
perhaps), at which point the College realised that they
had been playing against 12. Order restored at 11-a-side,
Husain joining the attack and breaking the opening
50 partnership. Two ducks followed in short order
before West joined Kokri to stop the rot, embarking
on an accelerating partnership of 83 before Kokri
67