  |
    |
 |
       |
  |
|
STUDENT CUP FINALS, LEEDS - February 2001
"Is there an accountant in the mini-bus?"
"Where's the mini-bar?" - Stefan
Brilliant
A comical remark executed with great ease and excellent timing. We all know he didn't mean it though. He had no idea of who was saying what (maybe even where he was). Stefan, you are a comedy genius. And so is Ben for that matter. With almost effortless ease we were kept entertained throughout the whole weekend. Not once were we let down.
The Journey up:
After successfully cramming half the team into the back of the bus we headed to Birks to pick up Ben's toothbrush...This quickly achieved Nigel attempted to turn the bus around after Ben had directed it into what can only be described as a parking space (certainly no bigger). Off to Lukes, where more people piled in, and May attempted (unsuccessfully) to find herself a seat in the front. We were on our way to the Student Cup Finals in Leeds, a distant 6 hours down the road. Whilst Ben attempted to video people driving by the bus (why? answers on a postcard please) we all chatted amongst ourselves. As we neared Leeds, the guys saw fit to seranade Susie at the front of the bus. But was it appreciated? I don't think so. Eventually we arrived at our 'hotel'. Just to clear things up. I had booked 3 treble rooms for the men, and 4 double rooms for the ladies (wahey). And what did we get?? 3 singles, some doubles, some twins, and something else. The only good thing was the bar stayed open until 1am. While the ladies headed off to bed, we tried our best to annoy them. After attempts at throwing coins at Carly's door failed miserably, Andy and myself went walkabout with the camera, much to Susie's disgust. Also, look out for footage on the video of Stefan giving his views on the weekend whilst on the toilet. EXCLUSIVE footage not to be missed.
Day 1:
After helping the jolly hotel man make our breakfast we all piled into the van at 8:45am, and it was off to Uni. The MEN knew we were going to have problems with our group, but maybe (just maybe) we could get a surprise result. It all started horribly, as we settled down to our warm-up in the wrong sports hall. Our first match vs. Hallam was expected to be a walkover. However, we ran them pretty close in the first set, eventually losing 25-15, 25-4 (yes, 4). Excited by this one-sided result, we played our next match against a Cambridge side who had (according to Andy) a very funny looking player on their team. A closer match than the first, we lost 25-17, 25-15. After attempts to make the Bristol team take it easy failed horribly, the match against the eventual group winners was again one-sided, and we lost 25-14, 25-10. We would be playing for last place, but were determined to do better than last year. We'd like to thank the Leeds' ladies team, for had we not been distracted by them, we might have beat Bristol...
The LADIES had different hopes though. They were looking at top spot. After what was apparantly a very close first game against Oxford the ladies lost 2-0. Not satisfied by this, they quickly recovered to beat both Cambridge II and Bradford by a similar 2-0 scoreline. Sunday would see them face Loughborough II, the team who beat them last year, in the Quarter Finals. As Andy sprinted off to watch England thump Italy (eventually) in the rugby, the rest of us headed back to the very friendly man at the Ascot Grange Hotel. As other headed off down the road, Carly, Kostas, Stefan & myself befriended a cat, who then promptly fell asleep under the mini-bus. A disasterous attempt to find food in Leeds City Centre saw most of the team freezing outside a fish & chip shop waiting for Nigel, while Daniela, Arianna, Saskia & Sophie found a nice warm place to eat. To cap a fine evening, 4 men we left wondering around Leeds Met. Campus in the dark looking for a nightclub that did not exist.
Day 2:
As we all sat shivering in the mini-bus waiting for the whole team to appear, I went and paid the smily man at the reception an extra £80 for our accommodation. Outrageous! Still, I was cheered up by the sight of George staggering towards the bus holding (and drinking) a bottle of wine. As we started to pull out, Ben kindly reminded us that he had once again left something behind. Woohoo! The Men returned to the GREEN SPORTS HALL to find they had only one playoff game to play, for LAST (or 13th if you wish) place against Newcastle. To help us along, Stefan brought out the 'Exagator', and we "comfortably" beat the opposition 3-2. WE WERE NOT LAST! In fact, we had in theory won 3 and lost 3. Amazing. And all thanks to a little bit of plastic in the shape of an alligator. As a result, we had time to go watch the ladies. After ordering a taxi for 8 people (and convincing the person on the phone that 4+4 did in fact equal 8) we took in some sun on the steps. When the taxis arrived we all climbed in the back. All that is, except Stefan, who climbed into the drivers seat. After finding out that he was in the UK and not mainland Europe he got in the other side. As we drove away he turned to the driver and calmly asked: "Do you mind if I could possibly get my coat?". He'd left it on the stairs. We arrived at Leeds Uni to find the girls were beating Hallam in a close fought match. After losing earlier to Loughborough II 2-0 in the Quarter Finals, they beat the Sheffield side 2-1. As most prepared to have a shower, they were told there was one match remaining. It was very close, and the ladies were unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Teeside to finish 6th overall. WELL DONE LADIES!
The Journey home:
With one more person in the bus we started off back home, through the fog. After brilliant attempts to sing such classics as American Pie, Bohemian Rhapsody and Hope Joanna, as well as Nigel's tour of the Service Station roundabout we were back in Exeter. All in all a great weekend. Cheers everyone!
Thanks Nigel!
Ross (c), Orso, Dan, George, Andy, Ben, Kostas, Stefan, Tasha (c), Susie, Sophie, Carly, Saskia, Arianna, May, Daniela
Sports Person of the Tournament Award: Dan Hopkins
Some awards
Comedy genius award: Close call between Stefan & Ben, but in the end Ben wins!!
Stupidest thing said:"He must be his father's son" - Dan. you reckon Dan?
Team motivation:George - OOOOooooo arrrghhhh George!
Classic moments:
1) Ben forgetting his toothbrush (ohhhh yes)
2) Ben forgetting to remove his washing from the Birks Washing machine (ohhhh yes)
3) Ben leaving stuff in his hotel room (ohhhh yes)
4) Stefan's match predictions on the toilet
5) George arriving at the mini-bus in the morning looking pale and drinking wine
6) Finding a restaurant on the Saturday
7) Stefan's obsession with counting
8) Stefan climbing in the taxi-driver's seat, then asking him to wait while he got out again to get his coat: "Do you mind if I get out to get my coat?"
9) The men not coming last
10) Ben, Dan, Andy & myself looking for a nightclub that didn't exist
11) Our "meal" on Saturday
12) Ben in general
13) Persuading Stefan to go buy some laxatives in a crowded store
14) Teaching Stefan 3 new words for the weekend: Laxative, Prat, & Gibberish
15) Ben's "blue" hair...rrriiigghhhtttt
16) The men seranading Susie
17) Sophie sprinting to her house carrying all her bags
Any more?!?!
