More camaraderie on the astros
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Last Friday, the annual seven-a-side Prefects vs Staff Football match took place on the astros. Whilst less-heralded than the headline Year 13 Leavers vs Staff 11-a-side match (which is for 1st XI players), this fixture has grown into a real annual treat to mark the end of prefect team duties.
This year’s fixture had a guest referee - Mr Redmond - as he completed the first (and only) match of his year-long ban for over-zealous celebrations in last year’s fixture.
The match started off with both sides locked in a tight, goalless, stalemate. Rohan's collection of impressive saves keeping the scoreline at 0-0 as the staff piled on the early chances. Quickfire goals from Dr Karamath and Mr Straw then nudged the staff ahead before prefect pressure brought them close but a fantastic save from Mr Eley kept the staff with breathing space. The prefects regrouped, with Rohan further denying staff efforts, helped on by the cheering crowd of Year 13s, so that the first break arrived with no further score.
Staff have clearly been using their Thursday afternoons on the astros well, as they then clicked into a higher gear, with Mr McLaughlin’s volley, Mr Harvey, Mr Eves and Mr Lawton adding fine goals. Proving that he’s not just handy between the sticks, Rohan then finished off a marauding prefect attack, much to the delight of the watching fans, to give the prefects a deserved goal. Respite was short-lived however, as Dr Karamath and Mr Straw continued their goalscoring competition, each adding multiple composed finishes following slick staff moves. And to complete the afternoon’s goals, veteran of staff football Mr Burton showed poacher's nous to ghost in and seal the staff victory: a flattering 16-1.
Special mention for their performances are due to Rohan for top work with both hands and feet, to Dr Karamath for his 6 goals, and to Dr Hubbard for his 9 assists!
All in all, the match continued the now well-established tradition of healthy competition between the staff and prefects on the astros. Whilst the outcome wasn't one which the prefects would have wanted, the match was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who played, and very much enjoyed by the spectators. Well played all!