Trevor was going hoarse on the sideline, and Mandy and Nicole jumped up and down whenever the Rangers made any kind of break or good tackle. Nicole finally understood what people meant when they said they played every ball with their team. It was exhausting.

The minutes ticked down. The game was messy and muddy and sluggish. Woodville scored a try and converted. Danny tried to rally his troops with shouts and fist pumps. He looked up at Nicole, who smiled at him and he clapped his hands to rev up his teammates.

Greg crossed for a try with five minutes to spare.

Danny missed the equaliser. Oh, God, was this her fault?

She started biting her nails – something she hadn’t done since high school. Mandy rocked back and forth and flailed her arms about, willing the boys forward. Jack screamed at the top of his voice. Jacqui almost dropped Amy with each pass.

Bill Tucker got up from his chair and stood, silently watching every move.

Woodville started to count down.

Greg was awarded a penalty, took a shot at goal, and the score was tied.

A magnificent intercept from Jason as play resumed, and a run half the length of the field roused a cheer from the cove supporters, which swelled in volume as he offloaded to Matt, then collapsed from the effort.

Matt passed the ball to Danny.

Danny set himself for a field goal.

Nicole held her breath.

‘C’mon!’ The roar went up from the Rangers supporters as the ball sailed over the black dot.

The hooter sounded.

Mandy and Nicole hugged each other and then everyone around them. Wives and girlfriends ran to kiss their mud-covered heroes. Mandy dashed over to embrace Trevor. Danny, swamped by the crowd, looked at Nicole. She smiled at him and he smiled back before being swallowed by junior Rangers who piled on to him.

Back in town, The Royal was packed and draped in black and white streamers and balloons that hung from every possible hook, beam and light fixture. The jukebox was on continuous rotation with everyone joining in when ‘We Are the Champions’ played.

George and his two bartenders were sweating profusely behind the bar trying to keep the beer flowing, and Greg and Jason jumped back there to lend a hand. The younger kids and teenagers danced on the make-do dance floor created once a few tables had been moved.

Saluted with song and skulling, Danny was the first to be hoisted on to the bar. He was followed by Trevor and then Jason. Eventually, the whole team were celebrated with every player praised, even old Craig, who’d spent the entire eighty minutes on the sideline injured. Then it was Nicole’s turn.

‘Our lucky socks,’ shouted Trevor.