This is it my friends.
This is where the season ends.
Yes, it’s now too late to pot
that last deadly, oh so perfect, shot.
We dodged the rain and constant storms this year.
Did this put us off ? No, never fear.
Never have the elements got the upper hand.
Never have they discouraged this happy band.
If skill levels rarely matched our determination,
and if no one was transformed by some strange mutation
into a player of class and distinguished renown,
never fear, as it won’t depress us or get us down.
You see, we don’t just meet up to run each hoop with style.
It’s too often the case that we miss by a mile.
There’s the ribbing, the backchat and the artful tease;
there’s the desire to bring one’s opponent – metaphorically – to his knees!
But all of us are joined with one thought in common.
Forgive me if for a moment I need to be solemn.
We really appreciate the hospitality of our hosts,
so they should be honoured with the first of our toasts.