From 11 to 15 August, Derby Week took place between men’s residences: Wilgenhof and Dagbreek. This annual sporting week sees the two iconic rivals competing for dominance and an ultimate victory, facing off in sports played sitting on a couch, running on a field and everything in between.
The week kicked off with the frisbee, padel and golf events, all of which Wilgenhof won, putting them at a strong 3-0 headstart over their competitors. On Tuesday afternoon Dagbreek came back with a dire vengeance, taking the soccer event by penalty shootouts, the quad cricket, and the fan favourite beer run title in one fell swoop.
Wilgenhof wouldn’t allow themselves to get caught so easily, however, taking in quick succession all three pub-sport titles: speed-eating, snelrook (speed smoking) and down-downs (speed-drinking), proving themselves champion competitors in what has been called the most relevant and telling sports category of the week.
The ever-reactive Dagbreek immediately retaliated, taking decisive victories over Wilgenhof in the squash and table tennis events before, once again, beating their opponents with penalty shootouts in the hockey fixture.
On Thursday the chess and fifa events were won by Wilgenhof and Dabreek respectively, leaving the tally at an even 7-7 before the final events on Friday, the Victoria Street sprint and the most highly anticipated event of all, the main derby event: the Friday night rugby match. After winning the sprint early in the afternoon, Dagbreek had the upper hand over Wilgenhof going into the rugby, winning the Derby should they beat them in the rugby, and tying overall, should the game end in a tie.
In the end, the Blou Trein secured their Derby win with a tight 12-10 victory. As always, Derby Week was an undeniable highlight of the year for members of their respective communities. The cheers, camaraderie, and encouragement of fellow house members never fail to resound like a clear and positive bell throughout the communities’ living spaces.
By Eben Labuschagne
