Champions second year running… who would have thought?!

The match had been advertised, posters created, cakes baked, (doughnuts purchased), the sun pulled out from behind UK clouds. What an afternoon it promised to be, and what an afternoon it was.

The staff had arrived in all their pomp; bones perhaps slightly frail, some tummies breaching the bottom of shirts, but we were ready to keep the crown of champions. Were the year 13s this year able to pose more of a challenge than last? We were about to find out. Their three teams, each representing a form group, 13.1, 13.2 & 13.3 turned up in all their glory; would any of them be able to top the group and head to the finals?

And as the crowd dripped in, soon the cage of the football pitch was surrounded by the chants of ‘Mills and Rooney’, so let us begin the match report:

Round 1: was the round robin stage, each form group playing each other as well as the staff taking on the students, games lasting seven minutes. The staff came out on top of their match v 13.1, a slender 2-1 victory. And after drilling 13.2 something like 3-0, it was a tight game v 13.3, whereby, the charity of the Quest employees, gave them the victory, slotting Quest Staff second in the table (but seeded for the semis). The students had their games, but we were focused on ourselves, and I am sure some goals were scored, dribbles ran and fun had – but really, who was watching?

Semi finals: Having shown prowess in the earlier round, the team staff, led by the misfiring Mr Bevan and the two left feet of Mr Iseghohimen, it was the magic of Mills (Mr Mills) who kept the team in the game, and finally, the winning goals came from somewhere unknown, the staff representatives were in the final once again. Was the sun about to shine on them this year as it had last?

Oh and in the other Semis, 13.3 just about managed to get through on penalties.

Final: Tension was high. The cakes were almost eaten. Mr Bevan couldn’t hit water in a boat. But there we were, once again facing victory, trying to snatch defeat from it. 13.3 were a strong team, many of their boys having represented the school in football since their year seven days. But they were no match for men like Mr Frith, Mr Brett and, the ponytail of Mr Reisland. Other staff members were on the side-lines cheering on our (grown up) boys,  and it took the effort of the entire Selsdon area to push our guys through. But after letting in a clumsy goal, we were back, 1-1. The final whistle went – it was penalties once again. Would the staff choke?

Of course not. Mr Bevan and Mr I slotted their goals away whereas, the same can’t be said for some 13.3 members. Mr Mills once again, man of the match, two years running. What an MVP he is.

And so we went home, basking in sunlight, champions once again.

A special thanks to all the staff who contributed food for the sale and to those year 13’s who helped collect money. We raised nearly £200 for the charity SUDC UK, and in remembrance of Daniel Qevani whom we lost so sadly last year.