In a class of their own

Yesterday, the husband and some of his rugby mates from years back, grouped together to play in a tournament. If you rewind to eight years ago, when these men were at their peak of performance (rugby performance people, get your mind out of the gutter please!) they were amongst the best rugby players around, the husband included.

Fast forward to yesterday, these men were showing their age. Their body have been battered and bruised from the sport. Their speed, nowhere fast enough compared to the young men they were playing against. It was a case of the willing fighting spirit trapped in a weak body.

But persevered they did. They got through the first rounds, and got through the quarter finals. When I arrived at the pitch with the kids, they were waiting to play the semi finals against the tournament's best team. The husband said we'll go home right after the semis since he doesn't think they'll win that round.

But boy, was he wrong. He and his team fought hard and fought strong. Tempers were flared and punches were nearly thrown by the young men but it was determination and experience of the older men that won. And with that, the husband's team went on to the finals, much to their own surprise.

The finals saw the husband's team being pitted against a team of mean-looking no-nonsense Gurkhas. I got intimidated just by looking at their non-smiling face. Not to mention they look like they are the fittest team in the tournament.

The finals turned out to be the best game of the tournament. The Gurkhas put up a very strong defence and they impressed on the account of speed and fitness. But the husband's team of have-beens, well, they showed they still have some mileage in them yet. They won by a large margin, much to the surprise of everyone. The taste of victory, especially when it is totally unexpected, is truly sweet.

So today, these old men are nursing bruises, muscle aches and torn ligaments. I know for sure the husband is wearing his share, like a badge of honour. Danial wrote in his school journal last night, "I am so proud of my dad. He did really well and won the match." Well said.