The 1961 Girls Rounders tournament was truly a memorable sporting event, a classic if ever there was one. Teams from Kenya High, Loreto Valley Road, Loreto Msongari, Aga Khan High, St Theresa's and Dr. Ribeiro's took part.

Dr. Ribeiro's was represented by the 1961 girls of the 'class of 64' ably coached by Pam Moniz, who in her first year as coach took them all the way to the finals, which was played on a sweltering Saturday morning on our school grounds against arch-rivals and favourites St Theresa's.

This was no ordinary rounders game, it was a grudge match against a strong winning St Theresa's side. However home advantage and the coach were to play a major hand in this, all or nothing final. After a pep-talk that fired their bellies Pam Moniz sent the team out on to the field, their eyes noticeably glowing with grit and determination.

St Theresa's won the toss and on this hot, energy-sapping day wisely opted to bat first and got off to a cracking start and soon amassed a whopping score. Dr. Ribeiro's had a mountain to climb! Our opening bats, Ellen, Thelma, Ivera, and Ramona were our strongest players and soon put on the numbers, but it was a race against the clock, which was fast running down. The score was now level and in came our last bat Flora, who was noted for her fielding prowess, not her batting. One ball left, one run needed to win, our hearts were in our mouths, could little Flora pull it off? She was exhausted and could hardly raise her bat let alone hit a home run, but she knew what the score was. The last ball of the match was bowled and did she deliver......whack! hit with venom she never knew she had, home run all the way! Cheered by her colleagues she dug deep and willed her tired body past home base and the rest as they say..... is history!

By Afra Fernandes, with contributions from Melba Quiteiro, Joan do Rosario and Ellen Ahluwalia