eiffel_71 | (no subject)

Got a novel by Steve Martin from the parents for my birthday yesterday, Brut 33 from Katherine, blank tapes from Ann, an '80s Alternative' CD from Jade, random singles and a humorous second-hand book from Gran, and money towards my holiday from everyone else.

Wore the 'I'm Only Older On The Outside!' badge from the card from my cousin Jacqui to work. Just before work started, got buttonholed by Phil who wanted to chat about local elections - he'd just about talked himself out in time for me to rush to be at my workstation for 9.30. Quite a busy shift, and my last interview took some time as it was with a Polish lady who had trouble understanding quite a few of the questions. Finished her on the stroke of 2.30, thank goodness, and ran down the stairs and out to the bus stop. In the end the bus was 10 minutes late anyway.

Paid my birthday gift cheques in at Fareham post office, sauntered along to BK for an Angus Meal, took the bus home, just in time for a quick slice of cake and to open a couple more cards that people had dropped through the letterbox before setting off for Westleigh Park.

As I approached the clubhouse, I noticed Kay point through the window and tell the other girls I'd arrived. Stepped through the door to be met by a chorus of 'Happy Birthday To You' from all the lasses, then Kay came up and asked what I'd like to drink. Of course I went for a Magners. Sat talking to her and Jade; then Lisa came over, said "Happy birthday" and presented me with a card signed by all the team and backroom staff. Sweet.

A win would be enough to clinch the championship, and Jade told me just before kick-off that if we clinched the title with a win tonight we wouldn't have to play Red Star on Monday. Trevor confirmed that, and added that Red Star couldn't raise a team for Monday anyway, so if we didn't win tonight we'd have to play Red Star at a later date. Nobody wanted that, so the incentive to win this game was massive.

Penny asked Jade where her bongo drum was; alas, she'd left it at home. Lynn arrived a few minutes in, and presented me with a card signed by several of the players' relatives who come to the games, plus Dave the photographer.

Jade's bongolessness didn't stop her and me giving the girls plenty of vocal support again, though Jade had ants in her pants - three times during the first half she left her seat to go all the way down to the pitch, either to fetch a stray ball or just to watch from pitchside with friends. She and I still co-ordinated our singing; on my starting one song, Malc, sitting a couple of rows behind me, said bewilderedly how I'm always quiet at the men's matches.

On the pitch, Salisbury gave the girls a tough test for the first half, closing them down and staging some attacks, but after 20 minutes the tension broke when Billie opened the scoring with a lob from the halfway line that the keeper fumbled into the net. Michelle made it two from a long-range free kick, but Hawks continued to play cagily and Salisbury pulled one back from a breakaway just before half-time.

The Hawk girls came out for the second half transformed. They turned on a scintillating display of flowing football and ran out 6-1 winners. By then, I'd gone down to pitchside to watch with Jade and Kay (who'd gone off injured). At the final whistle we launched into the 'Championi' chant. On the field the girls were forming a huddled circle for a celebratory dance; it was too much for Jade, who dashed out onto the pitch to join them. Lisa popped open a bottle of champagne; the lasses danced around as it sprayed everywhere. As they charged off the pitch, Penny led some of them in singing the 'Championi' song.

Back in the clubhouse, Nigel bought me a Magners for my birthday. Jade and Kay tried to persuade me to come nightclubbing in Portsmouth with them all! (Denise warned me "Don't, they'll get you absolutely blotto and paint your face".) As the time for me to head for the station approached, I went round a couple of groups of the girls, saying well done on a magnificent season, thanks for all the great memories, have a fantastic summer and I'd see them in August. Jade replied, thanking me for my support, and I didn't get out of there without another chorus of Happy Birthday To You, this one sung solo by Michelle.

Back to Gosport for a Chicken Doner, and home to watch Three Amigos, but crashed out halfway through.