28th August 2005 - ANU Ravens (0) v Weston Creek (3)

As the Ravens gathered for their final flight on the field of glory there was a quite calm amongst the players. Ness captured the unfolding drama on film as the Coach crouched amongst his players to encourage a win.

A whistle blew and the ball was off. Players on the sideline hardly dared to breathe as our midfield pounced on the ball and sent it sailing into our attack. The strikers and midfielders bandied together to bulldoze to the front but failed to break the Weston back line. The ball sailed south and the defence line held and returned the ball with equal force. The first half saw Ravens dominate and a scramble of legs around the goal saw Ravens cheer as the ball made it into the net. Moving back for a kick off, the Ravens watched bewildered as the ball was launched back at us from a goal kick. Question: "What do you mean No Goal!" Answer: " The linesman made me do it"

With dust whirling as the wind plummeted from our sails, the Ravens strove to recover as they were once again on the defence. The defence was hard and furious and the attack equally so. Attacks on the opposition goal were many, but sadly the Ravens were never to see the ball cross that crucial line again.

As the final whistle blew, the Ravens gathered to cheer the end of a game and an end of a season. With spirits high on the memories of a season well fought, many left with parting words "Next year........."

Kathryn Ray

31st July 2005 - ANU Ravens (0) v UC (1)

A beautiful, bright sunny day, and no coach to be seen – perfect conditions for a game of soccer, right? So was the case when ANU ravens ran onto the field on Sunday 31st July! We went out hard and had several close misses in the first half, passing well and keeping UC on their toes. A kick-butt defence, lead from behind as always by Ness ensured that the score at half time remained nil all. The never-tiring efforts of the superb mid-fielders and wingers kept our spirits up and also provided the passes for the numerous close shots on goal by Sarah, Kate, Liane and Cassie. Playing together so well, it was unfortunate to concede a goal only minutes from the end of the match (purely by chance this happened around about the time that our coach made it to the field, apologising profusely for his petrol shortage!). There is, however, a plus side. In my opinion (which you are free to either share or completely disregard), seeing as how the last time we played UC we lost 5-0, a 1-0 loss is, relatively speaking, a 4-0 win to us! In light of these circumstances, the whole team is to be congratulated on such a vast improvement and a great game!

Miriam Dunn

17th July 2005 - ANU Ravens () v Belsouth ()

Someone once said that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game. Although the Ravens lost to Belsouth on the weekend they certainly proved this point, with a solid effort made by all.

As usual the first goal was scored against us, something which prophet Nigel had warned about. The Ravens fought back with some good passing and well-composed football, however by half time Belsouth were up 2 goals to zilch. In the second half some awesome footwork by the forwards and Limitless Liane led to a brilliant goal by Smashing Sarah, which put the Ravens back in the game.

Unfortunately, things started to look worse when Belsouth slipped a few into the back of the net. Of course if it weren't for a hardcore defence and Wondrous Wendy's spectacular saves Belsouth would have scored many more. In particular number 10 was doing a fair bit of hammering away at the goal with a small ratio of success. (Incidently, she was also hammering away at me in a less than pleasant manner)

Although a win seemed out of the question with 10 minutes left in the game, the Ravens still fought the hard fight and made a gutsy effort right to the very end. A great game.. but you know whoever came up with that quote (see above) obviously hasn't heard of this one: Winners are grinners! And the Raven's look hungry...

Quote of the week:
Celina said she prefers to shout comments from the bench than play.
Apparently more fun...

Haddock:
The aptly named doofus for his err.. interesting... canine antics and comic relief.

Miscellaneous fact:
Merissa (apparently) makes funny noises when kicking the ball.

Casualties:
Merissa: Black eye from ball to eye incident. (Or at least that’s what she’s telling us)

Cassie Schilg

26th June 2005 - ANU Ravens (0) v Cooma (6)

The Ravens (aka Bogongs) record of five unbeaten games finally came to an end with the trip to Cooma, putting in question the recently adopted training strategy of getting collectively ’blind’ in various civic establishments of a dubious nature until the early hours the night before a game.

The game itself was played on what could only be described as a cross between a skating rink and a mud bath. Nevertheless things started well for the Ravens with all team members arriving in time for the game for the first time all season, remarkable when you consider the ground is an hour and a half away.

Cooma employed a number of underhand sly tactics in order to prise the game from the Ravens clutches. Most notably the cunning use of strategically placed ‘ponies’ and a well timed ‘rainbow’ in order to distract Raven players whilst slotting the ball home.

Other points of note in this highly contentious game were:

• Coomas use of a man child in the centre of midfield. Oversize shorts not disguising the evident facial hair.
• The return of Kobie to bolster the defense and able once again to recall the type of car she drives.
• Kate Rays senior moment when she defected into the sport of netball
• Best quote award to Kate Michelly “I’m going to give that girl a knuckle sandwich” followed closely by Ness with “hmmm, I can taste that tequila again”
• Muddiest player award to Sam Patterson with Ness again in bridesmaid position for trying to emulate Wendy’s trademark goal kick (you clown Ness! Where did that ball go?) Fortunately there were no shortage of volunteers to wash the mud ridden sweaty shirts – thanks girls.

To be fair the team was doomed to defeat from the start when Liane proudly announced that “there will be no trigger pulling today!” The Ravens however redeemed themselves, salvaging some pride in our guise as the Budgie Smugglers (aka Dick Stickers) in the pub on Sunday night with a second very credible second place in the trivia and another beer voucher.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Michiyo and Shanti for their great contribution both on and off the field and wish them well for their respective move to Melbourne and pending operation.

Head Bogong Byng

19th June 2005 - ANU Ravens (2) v ANU Phoenix (1)

The date was set, the growling and gnashing of teeth had begun – the derby of ANU was on. The weather was as bad as how half the Ravens felt (after a very big night out the previous evening) – a truly auspicious afternoon had arrived.

The Ravens and Phoenix lined up, we took our positions and the whistle blew. Then the Ravens needed a bit of a nudge as most were still asleep at this point. However with Brownyn, Mel and Togi screeching down the pitch to our goal malicious Merissa went in with guns blasting. Marauding Miriam was kept a sharp eye on Togi however censoring Celina and Vanessa the vicious vulture soon woke up and were on fire. Our replacements of Sharp Shanti and Captain Kate ‘Ruthless’ Ray kept the coals blazing, continuing with some awesome defence. Karmageddan Kate, Maddog Mizti, Leggy Penny kept the mid field working hard so that the less than fit back line could get themselves together. Wonders will never cease to amaze as to how wondrous Wendy keeps coming up with the ball when all seems lost, as well as doing a spectacular sixer in the box while kicking the ball (who could forget). Hardcore Hanneka and Amazing Amanda did give the Phoenix a few heart failures with some beautiful shots. Then the moment came and Cassie the Carnivore in her well renown brilliance and accuracy, shoots for goal and scores – it was 1 all. However after a great battle between the Ravenous Ravens and the flaming Phoenix the teams were neck and neck at 1 all at half time.

At the start of the second half, after our regularly confusing half time chat from prophesising Nigel the Notorious (this time it was about rainbows) something must have happened because the Ravens were now switched on. The ball now was almost all in the Phoenix’s half with the awesome combination weaving through the Phoenix midfield and back line from Cassie the Carnivore and Limitless Liane. The Ravens battled on, the game was not yet won and one slip could mean disaster. Hardcore Hanneka and Smashing Sarah were shooting from all angles with Speedy Sammy and Leggy Penny crossing it in from the wings. There was a moment, just one, in the game where the Ravenous Ravens were actually playing beautiful soccer. The winning goal was from a penalty due to an unintentional trip in the box. Cassie the Carnivore stepped up to the ball and put another beauty in – the Ravens were in front We held out to win however our opposition pushed us as every moment and were worthy advisories. A great match played by all.

Celina Smith

5 June 2005 - ANU Ravens (2) - Lanyon (0)

In the words of Oscar Wilde "Football is all very well a game for rough girls, but it is hardly suitable for delicate boys". We had both of these this week, Lanyon (aka the Old Slappers) team was full of rough girls and we had a delicate boy on the sideline in the form of our (surprisingly!) mute and bleary eyed coach. None of this mattered under the relentless onslaught by the Raven's which saw our first win of the season!! Yes, under the clear directions of Nefarious Ness taking a free kick ("run Cassie") we saw Cassie the Carnivore expertly dribble around the keeper for a brilliant goal. A tense second half which nearly saw a keeper own goal for the mighty Ravens...but we are assured this is because Wondrous Wendy knew the opposition was off-side! Luckily the 11 year old ref agreed! A great game by the Menacing Midfielders and Daring Defenders saw no scoring success for Lanyon. A co-operative effort from our Fantastic Forwards, saw a lovely goal by Scary Sarah to see the Ravens romp home with their first victory of the season. So off to celebrate at the pub with yet another triumph for the Ravens in a hard fought trivia battle!! The scene is set for many more wins to come!

Sam Patterson

29th May 2005 - ANU Ravens (1) v Weston Creek (1)

22nd May 2005 - ANU Ravens (2) v (2)

Once upon a sunny arvo, while we pondered, hyped and fired,
Over many a quaint and curious game of lost football,
While we warmed up, nearly running, suddenly there came a thumping,
As of a team, gently running, running 'round with many footballs.
" 'Tis the opposition," we muttered, "slowly running round with footballs;
Only this, and nothing more......."

Ah, it was Woden, there was pushing, there was shoving,
And the opposition scored. More pushing, more shoving, and another opposition goal...
Eagerly we wished the morrow; regrouping, we fought....surcease of sorrow
But wait, a collision, between Killer Kobie and Wondrous Wendy (with a little help from the opposition),
Headaches for both....forevermore,
In the end, goals to Hardcore Hanneka and Cassie the Carnivore,
Resulting in a draw

.....Thus the Ravens, never quitting, still are training, still are playing
On autumnal Sunday afternoons before the dreary week;
And our eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming.
Of future wins, of future crushes, of future premierships;
And those defeats from previous weeks that lie in our minds
Will occur...nevermore!

Ness Wong

15th May 2005 - UC (5) v ANU Ravens (0)

An annoying saying exists in the world of sport: "Every game's a new game." At the beginning of our game against UC, we were feeling pretty positive. The week before we had fought hard against mighty Cooma to come back from 2-nil down to 2 all (although we still lost the match in the end). So we thought we had a pretty good chance against mediocre UC. And we did. We had the ball in our attacking half just as often, or even more so than UC had it in theirs. Unfortunately, we made a bit of a habbit of dribbling the ball all the way to the UC keeper. So although we had quite a few good set ups, and quite a few good runs by our strikers, we never managed to convert. Even more unfortunately, UC had a few key players who really knew how to hit the net, and we let them get the better of us. We finished with a 5-nil loss, after keeping the score to nil-all until half time.

Dilani was nominated for the prestigious award of "haddock" for her brilliant shot from halfway - at our goal. Thankfully she missed. Subbing on after half time, she had forgotten that we had swapped ends. Special mention should also go (although not in the haddock sense) to Shanti's little boy who was decked out in team mascot colours, and had a mini soccer ball in tow. If there was a "haddock" awarded to the opposition, it would have to go to the UC defender who sat on the ball right in front of their goal during the last few minutes of the match.

To commemorate our shocking loss, Avril's boyfriend and Shanti's husband decided to take team photos after the match. But the ANU Ravens will put this defeat behind us. We are determined to make the rest of the season's games an improvement on this one, and have many team photos taken to commemorate wins.

Rebecca Dunn

8th May 2005 - Cooma (5) v ANU Ravens (2)

This weekend saw the Ravens up against the Cooma Cowboys. With the Flaming Phoenix already falling to the Cowboys the previous weekend, it was in our hearts to bring the Cowboys to their knees.

The first half saw some brilliant play by all as our attack, Karmageddan Kate and Hardcore Hanneka, breached their line and Vanessa the Vulture led a brilliant defence. Wondrous Wendy once again astounded us with her ball handling skills even against the setting sun. Sadly the Cowboys were given a helping hand from their sidekick and a free kick saw them score. The next Cooma goal saw Cassie the Carnivore hungry for revenge and she broke through the Cowboy midfield to pass beautifully to Limitless Liane who provided Hardcore Hanneka with the opportunity to shoot an inspiring goal.

Going into the second half one goal down, the Ravens - with the sun on their backs - attacked hard and fast. Merciless Michiyo saw a gap in their defence and raced down the sideline to place a ball in the back of the net. Two all and the Ravens were feeling a win was in their grasp. Sharp Shanti and Boisterous Bec attacked strongly. Censoring Celina and Ferocious Fiona held fast in the back line. Killer Kobie and Malicious Merrissa did wonders in the midfield. But once again the sidekick stepped in and the Cowboys had another free kick, leaving the Ravens 3 - 2 down. The Ravens battled tirelessly against the power of the sidekick, but to no avail. The final score giving no indication of the grit, determination and talent of the Ravens on the day. We will soar again!

Kate Ray

1st May 2005 - Belsouth (1) v ANU Ravens (1)

In the beginning….ANU created a team. The team was without form and empty, with darkness on the face of the depths, but a spirit moved on the water’s surface, perhaps in the form of a moth, perhaps a flannelette shirt, perhaps in the form of….a bird.

ANU said, ‘There shall be game’, and game came into existence. ANU saw that the game was good, and ANU divided between the good light, and the evil darkness. ANU named the light 'Ravens,' and the darkness 'Belsouth.'

And indeed the game was good. The dedication of the Raven’s defenders, Wondrous Wendy, Captain Kate ‘Ruthless’ Ray, Miriam the Marauder, Censoring Celina, Killer Kobie and Superior Slav ensured the only goal scored by the dark side was from a direct penalty, awarded by the ref, Precarious Peter. The Raven’s midfielders, Maddog Mitzy, Limitless Liane, Astonishing Avril, Daring Dilani, Malicious Merissa, Leggy Penny, Sharp Shanti and Cassie ‘the Carnivore’ Schilg, devoted themselves to good passing and hard running - ensuring the ball stayed where it should – in the attacking half. Our forwards, Merciless Michiyo and Hardcore Hanneka did what they were created to do – and scored mid-way through the first half. The game was a draw, but with the Ravens dominating, ANU’s prophet Nigel the Notorious did say, ‘This is just the beginning….’

Merissa van Setten

Team