Ten countries have been giving their all in this year's World Championship, now drawing to what promises to be a climatic conclusion on Saturday when medals will be won and lost.

 

There's been plenty of sweat, grit and determination - and plenty of tears, not to mention the odd bruise and bloodied nose along the way.

 

So you could forgive these international teams, many of whom's players have made life-changing sacrifices in order to compete, the pleasure of unwinding after a hard day at the office (playing in temperatures approaching 90 degrees).

 

And who better to unwind than the England team, a young and aspiring bunch with plenty of ideas up their sleeves to liven up proceedings.

 

It didn't take the England team long to strike up a good friendship with the Australian team, international opposition but also friends who share the dorms on the same floor as England's

 

If you've followed my press releases since the World Champs kicked off, England succeeded in 'borrowing' the Aussie's treasured mascot Skippy, who quickly switched allegiance and was known as Skipette.

 

Overnight the cunning Kangaroo was fitted with a perfect-fit England kit, as well as plenty of St. George branding stickers.

 

Skipette even took time out to support the England team when they defeated Canada 11-6 in the last of their pool matches.

 

A 22-0 win over Germany followed, but after a 6-5 over-time nail-biter with Wales, England want Skipette back to act as their mascot.

 

"Operation 'hijack' is being planned," revealed Emily Garvey, England's star defender/midfielder.

 

Even head coach Lois Richardson has been involved in the entertaining revelations, leaving a note for the Australian team to brace themselves for another smash-and-grab raid.

 

The Aussies managed to prize their cherished Kangaroo back after England's clash with Canada, also 'borrowing' England's fridge when they let their guard slip for a second.

 

But with just two days left in this year's prestigious competition, which looks set to draw a crowd of around 5,000 people for Saturday's showcase final, let's hope there are plenty more fruity installments to what has become the talk of the tournament thus far, respectively.

 

The biggest hint yet that the Australians could be masterminding a reposte to England's handywork came at a day-off barbecue at Sandy Point Park yesterday afternoon.

 

England's Ailsa Stott hinted that plans were afoot for revenge against their dorm neigbours in a well-recepted speech on behalf of the national side about their experiences and thanks for this year's event.

 

However, it was a ten-point list from the Aussies, where England received three notable mentions for their fun-loving attitude off the field, which begs the question - who will emerge victorious in the battle of these two titans?

 

Watch this space for more spicy developments......

 

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