So, the inter-denomination sports day and competition continued, but this time on the volleyball court. Our enthusiasm and daring athletic ability, not to mention Bancroft’s particular understanding and skill in relation to how the game should actually be played, saw us easily progress through the elimination rounds. But as you would expect, we eventually met the giants of Mt. Gravatt, again. The lightweight Coopers team came face to face with them in the finals. Talking about face they carried that rather angry contorted face of champions robbed, while we carried the smirks and smiles of a cheeky winning team led by the champion of guile, David!! It was a tight game with a lot of skill being displayed from both sides. Still, if they won the point we made sure that we won the sledging. In the final points of the game it soon became apparent to David that winning the sledging was not going to necessarily win us the match. Now remember folks, this was a friendly social church event supported all by the Pastors having a cup of tea and a bun on the hill. Future leaders of the church were lined up against us. Names like Sumner and Hershal stood as strong pillars at the front net of the Mt. Gravatt volleyball team. Turning the other cheek was a teaching of the church which we would often have to reiterate whenever the feelings on the other side approached boiling point at our particular annoying antics. The final point was on us. Bancroft had the serve and was the only member of our team with the ability to serve over arm as opposed to all our weak lollypop underarm serves. David knew that this was the moment to strike. He whispered in my ear the team instructions that he believed would ensure the winning point for Coopers once more. No doubt about it, this was the heavyweight point, with the leading players deliberately taking up their positions opposite each other – David and me Vs Sumner and Hershal. As Bancrofts serve whistled past me, I could see the Mt. Gravatt pillar’s eyes were totally focused on the ball, the jump and the intercept David’s plan was activated. Now the sight of those mighty men hopping around with their shorts down around their knees was enough of a distraction to the opposition to ensure we won the point, game, set and match. As David and I ran off in the direction and safe haven of the Pastors tea party, I heard David yell over his shoulder; come on guys we always said you should turn the other cheek
