I would’ve travelled far and wide to attend the Southern Hemisphere’s premier sporting event, but amazingly the New Zealand Rock Paper Scissor Championships were being held right here in Tauranga! We booked the early morning off work, researched strategy, and practiced all night. We were ready. We even turned up as soon as registration opened to ensure our spots in the preliminary rounds.

Unfortunately our enthusiasm meant our night started a little too early, and come competition time the drink had taken its toll. Five of us bombed out in the first round and Soly, one of only two sober people in our party, was the only one to make it anywhere near the finals. James and I even got yellow carded in our matches for throwing our paper incorrectly. I think we crumbled under the pressure, and I definitely threw too many rocks. Rocks are for rookies.

The tournament legend also bombed out in the first round. However his protege and Christchurch champion, all the way from London, bagged the first prize. The prize, I think, was a paid trip to Australia for the Oceania finals, and the world championships are being held some time soon in California. Ah well… I’ll be back next year, a more experienced and learned competitor.