July 10th:
Turtles 2 (2) - Eastbourne 0 (0)
That Glorious Day
By
Paul "P.K." Kyne
Saturday 10 July will long be
remembered for one of New Zealand’s greatest sporting feats. Sure, many among
you would have relished the Black Caps victory at Lords. Danny’s 5-wicket bag
was a tonic and Harry’s 200th ODI wicket provided a fitting climax.
However, I’m not here to write about the summer game, and nor am I in raptures
over the first Pacific Islanders test against the All Blacks. I am here to
report on perhaps the greatest moment in the beautiful game since at least a
couple of Mondays back.
This story is one of greatness born
out of adversity . . . of the power of passion, SNO and a bucket. . . of a
Scotsman, an Englishman and an Irishman and of a few other blokes whose origins
are largely irrelevant. That’s right, this report concerns a collection of
mediocre middle-aged men who as individuals do OK, but as a team have proved
invincible.
Let the record state that on Saturday
10 July the Fabulous Turtles, Capital Soccer Masters Division 2 footballers,
held their first practice run for the 2004 season. “So bloody what?!” I hear
you cry – and it’s a fair enough response. But just think about it for a while.
Why on earth would the Turtles practise on game day? Let’s just say that the
opportunity arose through no default of their own. It was a sort of default
option.
Alright, you’ve got it. The team’s
intended opponents – the Eastbourne Bunnies (or some such) failed to show. Not
only that, by providing little more than 2 minutes notice of their pusillanimous
demeanour, they ensured that a full squad of highly-strung Turtles would make
the trip to Benburn Park, only to be disappointed.
At 2.20pm, 10 minutes prior to the
scheduled kick-off the normally laid-back Turtles were on edge. They knew that
by completing a 13th straight competition victory they would become
the outright winners of the Masters Div 2 Championship. In so doing the Turtles
would also become the first confirmed Capital Soccer title-holders for 2004.
Surely their achievements would be recognised by their much-loved club Waterside
Karori. The accolades would flow and they would have justified the affection
shown by their much-loved patron Pippi P*Star.
When news finally came through of the
default the frustration in the much-loved Benburn changing rooms was palpable.
However, before long the lads perked up again and decided to burn-off some of
their pent-up energy. A quick practice game of 6-on-6 was played out on the
hallowed turf that the Turtles call home.
The game was held in what can only be
described as glorious weather and the conditions were easy in more ways than
one. Such was the spirit of the lads that many locals from neighbouring streets
came out to watch. Pretty soon all and sundry were joining in. It was indeed a
joyous and uplifting scene the likes of which will never be repeated. It was as
if the whole suburb wanted to share in the glory of the Turtles achievement.
Everyone knew that if Eastbourne had turned out that afternoon
they would have come off second best. The Turtles were indeed at the height of
their powers.
It was therefore in many ways an
anti-climax that the 2-0 victory by default confirmed the Turtles as
title-holders. However, the season’s stats are more than enough to send you
into ecstasy. The lads have now had thirteen straight victories scoring 69 goals
to the opposition’s 17. They are perched at the top of the table with a perfect
39 competition points, a full 15 ahead of their nearest rival. With only 4
games to play the lead is unassailable, but will the Turts relax? I think not –
there is much still to achieve before the season is over. Watch this space.
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