Monday, 3rd September 2007 at 5:29 pm

New cheerleaders can’t save Dodos

A dark day for the Mighty Dodos, to the dismay of all at Feverpitcher, official partner of hockey’s celebrity superstar side: playing on a Pinelands field that may well be hiding undiscovered tribes and animals long believed extinct (the grass was so long, diminutive right wing Alice Dabrowski got lost on several occasions), the Mighty Dodos went down 1-0 to a Milnerton, thus prolonging the suspense for a further week.

Had the Dodos won, they would have been declared champions, and South Africa would still be nursing a communal hangover; it’s down to the final week of the season, then, and a crunch clash with Cafe del Mar. Disappointing for the legions of fans who turned out at Pinelands International Hockey Arena on Saturday; and disappointing for the Dodos cheerleaders, who included a number of new additions to their ranks.

Jo Cruse, training under Mighty Dodos star Richard Jamieson, made a muted debut (star struck, and understandably) joined stalwarts Tarryn Stevens and Ash Groenevelt on the sidelines, broad smiles and figure-hugging outfits; also hitting the big time after months of training, Louise Hackland, who came through additions in rural KwaZulu-Natal, left the family village to try her luck in Cape Town, and has now brought honour and prestige to her family by being selected as a Dodos cheerleader.

Sadly, no winning start for the Dodos (and The Hacker was in tears afterwards, as were many in a crowd that at times verged on a dozen), but the championship is still well within reach for hockey’s hotbed of celebrity. Feverpitcher will be having sleepless nights this week - and looking forward to a grand celebration on Saturday night with the Mighty Dodos.