Monday, 27th August 2007 at 9:51 pm

Short stars in glorious Dodos win

2007 is turning into a golden year for the Mighty Dodos, Cape Town’s celebrity hockey side - and Saturday afternoon was a vivid illustration of just why the world’s media is talking of little else. On the back of a high-profile appearance at a charity dinner on Friday night for Shape magazine’s annual fundraiser, the team took to the field under a searing sun in Kuils River - and proceeded to stroll to a 6-0 victory…

It was as glorious a performance as South African sport will see this year, whatever happens at the World Cup in France. From Alice Dabrowski’s blazing surges down the right wing, to Grant ‘The Wall’ Holton crushing any hint of Kuils River attack; from Peela Campbell’s extravagant goalkeeping to Petal Le Grange scoring with one of the touches of the season; from Big Lurker Fleming’s goal poaching, to Cecil Rhodes’s impromptu display of break dancing at half-time…

But not for the first time this year, man of the match was centre link Richard Short, the quiet heart beat of the Dodos machine. As fit, trim and relentlessly energetic as all great Dodos should be, Short is marching steadily towards the Mighty Dodos Hall of Fame. And with son Matthew already showing a natural touch, a Short dynasty could well be in the offing… That’s all to come, however; for now, Short Senior is at the forefront of an assault on the league that’s looking awfully good for the Cape’s favourite hockey stars. Mighty Dodos for champions? It’s looking awfully promising.