Runners-Up, but Not Second Best

Perfect weather. Nat changed her plans to stay and play.
O'Connor had learnt to respect us after their defeat to us, and showed their quality without their indiscipline. A match well worthy of a grand final, and with our team were cheered on by a deserved crowd.
An incredibly even event ensued. Starting 4-5-1, changed to 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 in the search for that elusive goal. But it never came. Our wing play and set piece delivery was confident and consistent, but failed to yield. O'Connor picked up at least 1 caution, and our girls were unblemished.
Extra time came and went. The first 10 mins were all O'Connor and Wendy stood up to the constent barrage with distinction. The second 10 mins was all ours, but we couldn't breakthrough.
Penalties are exciting for the neutral, but unfortunately arbitrary, and the flip of the coin went against us.

While I was downcast that our girl's deserved better, they earned their Silver nobody will deny.
Another season gone, and now I will turn my attentions to picking up the many loose strands of my life I have let fall by the wayside in the hunt for glory. This is what it feels like 'To Lose in the Right Way'.