It is that time of year when the Old Cooroovians dig out their football boots and lovingly patch them up with tape for yet another ‘one last competition…’
Kit bags are dusted off and repacked with shinpads that appeared on Antique Roadshow ten years ago and half-used tubes of Deep Heat dug out from the back of a drawer bearing the ominous and faintly taunting warning: “Best before 1978.”
Confidence is high.
Mobility is low.
And so it was that the Old Cooroovians gathered once more and made the pilgrimage south to the annual Redlands 7s.
This year brought something new — the inaugural Over 70s competition.
For the Over 55s squad, it was a strategic opportunity.
A few of the “older oldies” were gently ushered along into the 70s squad, allowing some of the younger oldies to bolster the 55s ranks in a bold attempt to go one better than last year’s gallant Plate runners-up finish.
The Over 70s, meanwhile, jumped, more metaphorically than physically, at the chance to write their names into Old Cooroovian folklore and perhaps catch the eye of selectors for Australia’s Over 70s World Cup squad.
History was calling.
Those with hearing aids swear they heard it.
There are no high-performance sports routines for the Oldies.
Their preparation consisted of a hearty lunch at the local RSL, a restorative dip in the hotel pool and, most importantly, a well-timed nanna nap to ensure peak condition for the Friday evening fixtures — which included a game with a 9pm kick-off, well past the usual lights-out for some of the squad.
The Over 70s surprised even themselves with two draws and a win on Friday to put them in second place in the league.
The Over 55s had a slightly tougher time of it, with one win and two defeats, but all to play for on the Saturday.
Under a pleasantly searing Queensland sun, Saturday’s matches tested knees, hydration and endurance.
Both squads battled through the afternoon fixtures and into the finals with the customary Old Cooroovian mix of grit, humour and lapses in concentration.
The Over 70s managed another two wins and a draw to finish top of the table but fell at the second last hurdle getting beaten by a goal in extra time golden goal.
The only goal they conceded in the tournament.
The Over 55s picked up their game with a win, a draw and loss and made it to the Plate final only to miss out again with a 2-1 loss.
Other teams may brag about trophies, but we remain undefeated in post-match analysis.
We would like to thank the Eumundi Magpies for allowing us to use their fields to train and Cooroora United for the supply of the playing strips.
We hope you both have a great season.
Anyone that is interested in having a kick around on a Sunday morning at Eumundi feel free to come along and join us.
For more information on the Old Cooroovians contact us at cooroovian@gmail.com
