Kelowna Cup

The scene was set, players had been talking about the Kelowna trip for weeks, and come Friday afternoon, cars were packed, items removed to ensure essential items such as beer was made room for and the 4 hour trip to the interior began.

Upon arrival to the resort, the BBQ was set up, ice purchased and players indulged in Burnaby’s finest brew, despite questions as to the alcohol content and freshness of the beer, somehow the many slabs that where brought up managed to be consumed.  While many players choose to remain at the resort, others choose to head into the local establishments, some not making it back for the breakfast meeting.  The others that did stay participated in a very heated and at times violent match of soccer, with the outcome yet to be resolved due to the decision to cancel mid game for fear of further injuries prior to the big tournament that lay ahead.  While the local Constable did contact the president after overhearing discussions of entering an un manned police car so as to be able to “take our clothes off”.  The matter was quickly resolved, with the un named individuals claiming that it was for the purpose of clearing off “chicken McNuggets, sprayed intentionally by a local after we refused to allow her one of the before mentioned McNuggets”. 

The morning presented itself with a mix of enthusiasm and grunts, some choosing to get up early to enjoy the spa, $5.00 breakfasts and Ricky’s, others choose to rest, knowing that the day would be the hard fought encounters that it was.  One player even chose to go for a run after finding himself at the local London Drugs, looking for treatment of a wrist injury. 

As the team captain took the squad on a tour of the many wineries and golf courses, some members became impatient such was the desire to get the boots on and have a run.  With 2 new players and one returning player the Eagles looked to start off well against a strong Saint’s side.  With both teams unable to capitalise on early opportunities, its was the quick movement of the back line, repelling the many inside 50’s from the Saints, and superb delivery from the midfield that enabled the Eagles to win.  Unfortunately it came at a cost with many players struggling off the field in this hard fought battle.

Goalkickers Game 1 v Saints
Pete Cristoforo 3
Matt McDowall 2
Che Pritchard 2
Dane Bergman 1

 

The second game came against a Calgary team ready to play and retain the cup they had won the previous year.  Calgary’s talented midfield proved difficult to stop, but the structures set up by the Eagles coaching staff proved to be the difference, with numbers constantly moving and creating space, allowing the forwards to take a strangle hold on the tournament.

Goalkickers Game 2 v Calgary
Pete Cristoforo 4
Matt McDowall 3
Dale Handley 2

By this time the number of players having to endure many injuries had again grown, and after attempting to re-hydrate from the dry heat of Kelowna, players gallantly began to move muscles which did not want to be moved.  When the Eagles captain, Bangers, won the toss, it was game on.  The Cougar’s came out strong, kicking straight early and capitalising on turnovers, while the Eagles, having plenty of chances were unable to get a goal in the first half.  It was not due to lack of effort, with the back line repelling many chances and the midfield working hard against a strong Vancouver side.  The second half began similar to the first half, with the Cougars getting the first goal on the board, then as the game wore on  the frustration began to show in many Vancouver players, with hard fought battles between individuals happening all over the field.  The Eagles forward line began to find their rhythm, and some monster goals by players ensured that the trophy would sit in the Burnaby Eagles clubrooms. 

Goalkickers Kelowna Cup Final v Cougars
Pete Cristoforo 3
Robin McDonald 1
Dane Bergman 1
Brent Frewen 1

And so the celebration began. Captain Bangers was presented with the cup, filled it with amber ale and the night began.  Many players headed to the beach for a post game recovery session, while others took advantage of the resorts facilities, all reminiscing on the day’s events, the goals, marks and tackles that ensured the Kelowna Cup was in our hands.  As the sun began to fall, the stories began to rise.  Players attending various pubs, clubs and parties, all to return to the nest in the morning to discuss the night’s events.  Following a second return from London Drugs, one player keen to make sure that he was ready for the next game, requested to use the pool, only to be told that it would not be possible, due to human excretions being found floating in not one, not two, but three pools.  The night before brought players climbing up rooftops, sliding down electrical poles, crowd surfing, massages, smiles beaming from ear to ear at being in the presence of sheer beauty, toilet bowls filled to the rim with the nights consumption, members morphing out of bushes, and strolls around the resort looking for the next person to drink with.  The morning also brought disturbing images from the previous two nights, with sausage throwing competitions resorting to the use of tea bags in order to suffocate other players, all members of this room slept with one eye open, and paid dearly if this did not occur.  At departure, an innocent by-standing bear was exploited and as staff attempted to rescue this victim, was simply told “your next”.    And this is how the trip concludes, with the Eagles returning to their nest, waiting to see what will come next.