Ever alert, whistle hanging loosely between his lips, Geffrard continued his vigilant watch of the players. It was a lot of pressure for the players, no doubt, but it was easy to forget the unease that could stir in the pit of an official’s stomach. Miss one foul, fail to call one shot and you might never live it down—not in a game this big.

He was set to blow the whistle when Mayur attempted to physically dislodge the quaffle Renee carried but held off as the woman manoeuvred out of the attack. Quaffle still in play, bludgers still flying about. He would keep watching.

There wasn’t a minute’s rest for the quaffle after it was sent back into play. England’s Lamberto snagged it midair, tossing it perhaps with less conviction or concentration than he needed because it was quickly picked up by Raju the moment it left his hands.

India back in control of the quaffle, the captain wasted no time sending the quaffle toward Mila who caught it without issue but that’s where India’s luck ended as English chaser Renee cleanly intercepted the quaffle and headed down the pitch with added protection from Lamberto and a failed assault from India’s Mayur.

Field clear, quaffle up..........and it misses! Bouncing off the very tip of Priya’s broom as the Keeper tries to block, the quaffle hits the edge of the hoop before bouncing off and being thrown back into play.

Quaffle heading towards England’s goal posts.

The bludgers weregoing wild on the pitch, perhaps a It too wild? Nila’s bludger went wide, dodged by many players before double back. Pavel’s was more certain in its purpose as it hurtled toward the Indian captain. A direct hit that leaves the captain momentarily out of Okay.

Not discouraged,Nila sent another bludger barrelling across the pitch, this time aimed at England’s Renee. Ever the defender, Pavel cuts in, saving his teammate at the last minute while sending the bludger toward Meera. Once again the bludger was stopped in its track, this time by India’s Mayur who sends it right toward Snow. Meanwhile, the forgotten bludger was on its way toward England’s captain, Cynthia

And what was that? There by the stands among the roaring crowd? It shun bright and looked akin to gold. Could that be the snitch?