Post game commiserations

Another one bites the dust

Fortune favours the brave, and though bravado was present in patches, unfortunately so too were disorientation, handling errors and a lack of confidence at key stages.

When it all boiled down, we lost. 14-11. Unfortunately for me it means another grand final loss to chalk up beside the colts final we lost when I was playing at Sydney Uni as well as the 3 grand final losses at Old Ignatians.

I warned the team that I may be a bad luck omen but we were convinced that this would be the year to break my run of grand final heartbreaks. Alas, it was not to be.

In spite of losing, I was honoured to have been asked to lead the team after my efforts in the semi final despite the return of our previously injured regular captain. My emotions were sparked after the game when it dawned on me that this was my last game at 't Gooi before leaving at the end of the summer for Oxford.

I have many fond memories of the club, not the least the many friends that i have made and the joy of improving my own level of playing standard. I will have fond memories of the manner in which our club, appearing in their 1st ever grand final in their 73 years of existence, dealt with the loss.

We returned to the club house to be greeted by between 60-80 supporters and a big band as we disemnarked from the coach. They then proceeded to lead a march back to the club whereupon we found another couple of hundred supporters, two long tables of catering and a plentiful supply of beer.

We stayed drinking well into the evening, recounting the near misses, mistakes and 'if only' recollections of the game. Despite our loss, the one departing thought I will take with me is of the unique spirit and environment of Rugby Club 't Gooi and the privilege I have had being a part of such a club for the past 2 and a half years .

Oxford beckons, farewell Amsterdam

Due to my lethargy, tales of recent developments appear with quite some delay. I attended my Oxford interview on April 28 having decided at the end of 2005 that my desire to undertake post-graduate study was more intense than my desire to continue working with Sara Lee. I had flagged in my performance review in November than an MBA was on the cards though at that point in time was undecided between commencing in 2006 or 2007.

I had been confident with my application to the Said Business School at Oxford University as it was the only school to which I ended up applying and hence my preparations were suitably thorough. Nonetheless, I was quietly relieved when invited to attend the interview session.

I arrived in Oxford at around 10am having taken the day off work and flown across early in the morning. The day was well organised and consisted of the interview itself, a plenary discussion with current students, the opportunity to sit in on a lecture, a presentation from the careers team, a tour of the school and lunch with current students, prospective students and academic staff.

The day re-confirmed my desire to attend Oxford - the diversity of students and backgrounds, the quality of teaching staff, the intimacy of the school and the surrounds of Oxford all conspire to create quite an invigorating atmosphere. I must say that I had been surprised by the brevity of my interview and afterwards was questioning whether it had been due to my strong candidacy or whether they made up their minds quickly that I did not merit a place on the program.

Over the ensuing week I was a nervous wreck, not knowing which was the decision might go. Fortunately before the week was out I had cause to celebrate - I was offered a place at Oxford University. Very soon thereafter I handed in my resignation, met with surprise, disappointment but thankfully also support.