Report from the sports representative:

Legs pumping, bodies sliding, fists flying. FIFA World Cup fever had reached Bendigo in the form of the BOHDS Soccer competition. The kickoff was set for 4:00pm Wednesday the 26^th of May. A jubilant and hyperactive crowd, an insanely slippery surface and chilly winter afternoon combined to set the perfect stage for a battle where honour, pride and cojones were put on the line. BOHDS members were split into their respective year levels and were pitted against each other for an intense 45 minute match. Due to ‘unforseen circumstances’, the 3^rd Year BOHDS members withdrew from the competition; but excuses aside, they knew they had no chance against the raw power and skill of the other year levels. So in the end it was a match between the 1^st years and 2^nd years. GAME ON!

2^nd years were quick to get off the mark. Precise passing and high intensity runs of play created many early opportunities for the 2^nd years while solid defensive pressure kept the 1^st years at bay. What lacked was a clinical finish and this caused many missed chances to register on the scoreboard. However, halfway through the first half, the 2^nd years were rewarded for their dominance and efforts in front of goal and scored one through the tricks and skills of prolific striker and captain Anthony Ramzy. With constant support from teammates, Jawad Abou-Zeid, and Dan Murphy who were impenetrable in defence, Plutarch Deliyannis, Anita Lim and Kalaan Schroeder, dominating midfield and Nick Papadopoulos as a constant back up, the captain was able to find the net once again to put the 2^nd years 2-0 up. Following this, it was easy sailing for the 2^nd years with wave after wave of attempts at goal, creating a constant barrage. It might even be said that the 1^st years were lucky to get away with just 2-0 by half time as they lost all steam and seemed to get the jitters as they were unable to reply.

However, this all seemed to change in the second half. Whether it was the words of inspiration iterated by the captain Eddy Lee, the formation changes that were applied or simply because the 2^nd years got overconfident, the 1^st years replied con fuoco (with fire). A goal scored by Sathyan Sivaananthan was quickly followed by another scored by the captain Eddy Lee. And suddenly the game was on level grounds once again. 2-2. From here on out, the first years played with spirit and determination and constantly put pressure on the 2^nd years who had shockingly forfeited their early lead. But this is how soccer works; everything is left up in the air until the very last minute. With their soar in confidence, certain 1^st year players started to shine. Farzam Mehrabi and Darius Rohanian directed play through the midfield while Miodrag Mladenovic impressed by denying many potential goals with some brilliant back-breaking saves. Yet, fate had been written and it was deservedly decided by Ramzy who slotted another goal through the legs of the keeper. A hat-trick to the captain ultimately ensured that the 2^nd years came away with a deserved win, but a difficult one at that. Final score 3-2 in favour of the 2^nd years.

Barbeque was offered at the end of the day for those who played and the BOHDS members who watched from the sidelines. Coleen McCarthy and Dr Jeremy Graham made cameo appearances, possibly to provide intel to the other lecturers and staff members in preparation for their dominance in the next sports event. Thanks to all those who helped in the organisation of this entertaining event; especially to Mark Tsai, Barbara Liu, Michelle Van, Phuong Huynh, Sarah Moon, Tiffany Chuo for cooking the sausages and a special thanks to Matthew Howard who did a wonderful job standing in as an energetic yet often controversial referee for the match. This is just the start of something big for the BOHDS society as more events and sport activities have been scheduled for Semester 2.

Gavin Yang, 2^nd Year BOHDS representative and Sports representative signing out.

For those of you who didn’t get the first issue of the BOHDS newsletter sent to you through your uni email, here it is! (You should probably also check if you’re getting our emails.) It contains notices, updates, articles and heaps of photos from April. Don’t miss the next issue after exams.