Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools.

That settled the Merseysiders for a short while but it did not blunt the home side's spirit.

Clinging to the sparse soil beneath the trees are the hardy acacias — Spearwood (Acacia doratoxylon), with its long, narrow leaves (up to 10cm long by 2-5mm wide), a tall shrub with golden-yellow flower spikes to 2cm; […] .

Spring is the twong! twock! of the tennis court and a new crack jagging along the concrete. Spring is pants cuffs filled with new clipped grass.