Monday 16 July 2007
Despite the fantastic victory by Chevron Action Flash at Tour 2 in Mansfield last weekend, several Chevron winners have reported less than excited reactions by friends, and work colleagues. After coming second in their pool on Saturday Chevron faced Fusion in the Semi final on Sunday. Having been on the receiving end of a severe thrashing and several sudden death losses at the hands of Fusion in 2006, revenge was on the minds of many of the Chevron players. A tight game led to a predictable sudden death ending with Beavan getting the vital block after starting on defence and James catching the winning goal.
The final was as close as the semi with Fire leading most of the way till Chevron clinched victory in sudden death. Two close games were followed by loud and excited celebrations, the likes of which haven't been seen from Chevron for many years.
The real world, however, was brought sharply back into focus for many of the elated Chevron players as they returned to their places of work at 9 o'clock on Monday morning. Despite years of attending tournaments and drifting round the office like the living dead every Monday morning, the significance of a tournament victory and the supreme physical effort this places the body under, cannot be accurately portrayed to your average work colleague.
Chevron player Dave Barnard arrived at work on Monday morning, unusually, with a smile on his face and an uncomfortably achy, yet notable spring in his step. "After the usual pleasantries my business colleague Rich Ashbrook asked me if I had a nice weekend." Dave began when asked about his arrival at work. "I decided I would tell him the whole story and was openly very happy about the weekends events." Despite this impassioned explanation, Barnard described Ashbrooks reaction as "less than enthusiastic".
Ashbrook: Not impressed after being told about the Chevron Tour 2 victory
Spirits couldn't be dampened, however, as highpoints of the weekend continued to be remembered culminating, unsurprisingly, in Chris Berry sprinting deep for the winning score in the final. There were fantastic performances throughout the team both in getting us to the final and during the final itself. None of which will be known or appreciated by our office colleagues; all of which will be remembered by Chevron for a long time.
Dane