Year: 2006 (Page 2 of 5)

EXCITEMENT  is . . .

PLAYING TROOK

The Ruby Trook Tournament held at the A. T. C. Hall on Sunday 29th October 2006 brought together 12 Teams to this knockout Competition, which commenced at 11am. and believe it or not finished at 10pm.

In spite of being a tournament, camaraderie is in the forefront.   The achievement of moving up to the next level brings an electric feeling not just for the players but for the spectators as well.   The game of our forefathers still lives on and I for one (although not a card player) feel proud to see it played with such enthusiasm and skill.

Jacinto Fernandes spearheaded the tournament with such efficiency, as he has been doing for the last 30 years, by keeping to time, presenting trophies of quality and acknowledging the player’s efforts.  In his speech Jacinto thanked the Association for their interest in the game and for exempting the players from having to pay an entrance fee this year, as it marks the Ruby anniversary.  Jacinto also paid tribute to the faithful departed who were remembered with a minute silence, in particular, John D’Costa who was there last year and passed away only a few weeks before the tournament.   Tribute was also paid to Philip Rebello, by his family, who honoured him with their presence in full force and by catering for the event.

A Raffle prize was donated by our President and Greg Carvalho on behalf of the Carvalho Bar Team.

It was especially good to see two new players this year which sounds very promising for the future.  Ladies also participate in full swing and this year the winners ‘South East Goans’ Sports & Social Club who played superbly, won with a lady in their midst.  (Yahooo!)

The Runners up ‘Ansel’s Five’ also exceeded their excellence.

The ‘Bonnie’ Floating Trophy was presented to the winners by our Bonnie.

A date for the tournament next year is set for Sunday 28th October 2007 at the same venue.  Make it a date  – All are welcome.

By Nina Pinto

Despite the very early morning start and waiting for the coach pickup in the teeming rain, there was a lot of good humour under shared umbrellas and everyone eagerly looked forward to their impending day trip to Boulogne and most importantly, some serious shopping at the Hypermarket in Calais on Saturday 30 September 2006.

Once everyone was comfortably seated on the coach, Flavio Gracias led us all in a small prayer to ensure a safe and pleasant journey.  We were then each treated to a bag of tasty snacks and a choice of bottles of fresh juice or water.  We were also informed that due to an unfortunate mix-up between the coach company and the Euro Shuttle operators, that we would travel across by ferry instead.  This was generally accepted and all settled down to a very pleasant drive to Dover.  We hardly wasted much time in boarding the ferry (thankfully, no one had left their passports at home) and within the hour, we were on French soil.  We then drove to Boulogne in time for lunch.   It was a glorious sunny and warm day and the 2 hours there passed really pleasantly.

Then on to the immense Hypermarket, where thanks to the foresight of Norma Menezes-Rahim in providing us with a handy list of the £ = € conversion, a lot of goodies were happily purchased!  Soon, it was time to return to catch the ferry but not before another stopover to a second hypermarket specialising in booze.

Everyone was in high spirits by the return journey back to London, lustily singing old English and Konkani tunes whilst young Martin Gracias – not to be outdone by the oldies – impressed us with his own impromptu and sweet voice.

It was a very enjoyable and well-organised trip by the GOA and thanks should especially go to Flavio and Bernie Gracias, together with Norma and Rosy from the Ruby Social Committee for making it so.

By  Anita Rebello