A short first report on the “Reunion” held on Saturday 30th 2006… by the QPrin…
A great turn-out for first effort… when I left due to other commitments as darkness took over the field and players headed for the showers (whom am I fooling? The taps at the side of the covered walk-way leading to the West Block!), there were over a hundred Old Boys and sundry female supporters (brought by the ‘young’ generation) milling around on the basket-ball court (we didn’t include that this year) and environs.
The result of the much-awaited football ‘clash of generations’ (under-30′s vs over-30′s) – I shall leave the precise details to our chronicler, Keith Francis who was there with his camera and note-book and will no doubt give a full and detailed account on http://qrclink.blogspot.com/
Soon, but to my distress (I have closer friends among the over-30′s – mainly mid..) as my ‘subject line’ suggests they ‘elders’ fell for the ruse of the young… who arrived late allowing the early-arriving ‘seniors’ (it’s all relative!) [ young people come late to every social occasion- teenagers go to fete leaving home just before mid-night!!!] to warm-up and lubricate with appropriate beverages. The youngsters also played dirty calling in as ‘strikers’ the stars for “Canisius College” – the Aberdeen brothers.. Simba and Nkosi… go to the link http://www.socawarriors.net/football/info/college_players.php and click on the appropriate links and you will find out why it was advantage… also technically Nkosi isn’t an “Old Boy” but we really not going down that road.
The ‘seniors’ warmed up with Jean Lillywhite but when the ‘match’ (maybe ‘mis-match’) began around five p.m. he did not line up (even as a guest player)..at the risk of geting killed for omissions (and there were definitely some other ‘guests’ for the ‘seniors’ whom I did not recognize notably a very speedy and skillful left wing), I wish to point out to people who need to know that Cyril played a gallant mid-field position, Baird threw away a gift, Ramesh as well (Ramesh took a desperate ‘cobeau sweat’ at the end to try to salvage the position) and one of the stars on the ‘senior’ team was the now “Reverend” Lemuel Nelson who worked hard in the vineyard without success. He was one of the few speedy and fit ‘seniors’. Also showing off considerable skills was Walter Alibey (now journalist).. Gary Awai also had some great moments but limped off at the non-existent ‘half-time’.. the game was played for a continuous seventy minutes. Oh how could I forget, Lenny Bass was courageous and at times even skillful in goal but had no chance against the hungry Aberdeen brothers…
Final score? Something like 3 or 4 for the young ones.. I believe I saw at least one response from the ‘seniors’ but I confess I couldn’t look too closely after a time….:-) ;-) :-) (thanks for the Black Label Johnny Walker whoever.. it helped dull the pain!!)…..
I await Keith’s far more balanced and complete account (there are several players with good performances who need to be commended) but it’s early Sunday morning and having taken to bed early (“sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care”), I thought I’d share in this early morning insomnia my total enjoyment in spite of everything of yesterday’s proceedings….
There is so much possibility for this December post-Christmas reunion which I sincerely hope is maintained, expanded and provides an opportunity especially for the younger members to gather.
May I be so bold as to make the point to the older members of the list that it is VERY IMPORTANT to make contact with the recent graduates.. I was asked by one just finishing off at UWI – very early twenties “How does one become an ‘Old Boy’??”… meaning join the Association formally. The opportunity has to be carefully created where especially the younger members can meet INFORMALLY and at low/nil cost. I propose to the formal Old Boys (a few of whom are on one of these lists) that it is going to be well worth the relatively small outlay to ‘sponsor’ at least partly this reunion event. “Chefs Royal” and the annual dinner are not as universal in drawing power as a football/basketball/all fours etc etc LIME where the thing is to meet and greet fellow school mates… keep working at the formula people…
And total kudos to Willard and Willard and Willard and his committee (deliberate! doh dig Dion! and DJ Colin Chambers who made enough noise to please any of the young!!! and Ramesh who brought serious food!!)
And to Aaron Doyle, brave spokesman for the ‘young group’ who showed that like any true QRC boy, his skills extended beyond his specialist sport of basketball at which he represented the College well at the highest level,.. and he brought along SOME of the Sunday evening ‘sweaters’..lucky they didn’t bring more of that group.. Chike Taylor-Phillip now at “Cornerstone University” – (check the list mentioned earlier) was dissuaded by me from going for his boots… also seen was another basketballer Chike Pilgrim of “Word, Sound and Power”…but let me not rub it in, ‘seniors’…. “ten years and a few drinks” and distracted by their barefoot goal-keeper (the inimitable Eldon Yhip,[keeper of the Roger Prince outfit of ???(come in Roger!)]. why goal-keepers have so much character, ehn Lenny???).. I lost my bet backing experience vs youth.. who was it that said to me after, one of our former captains from the halcyon days of Mr. Douglas when I asked him why he hadn’t brought his boots “football is a young man’s game..”.. I feel though, that with some training together [Maybe Pastor Lemmy can organize something !!!] (the ‘Sunday afternoon’ ‘sweaters’ are accustomed playing with each other and as I said, they brought in ‘stars’ from ‘foreign’ hot out of successful American College seasons) the ‘seniors’ ‘can do better’!!! (typical teacher’s comment’)//
It was great people… next year for sure…
A very happy Principal…
PS I await all the comments, expansions on this…
PPS.. A ‘no-show’ by the Old Old Boys…..hmmmmm…..
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