MT1
well MT1 has come and gone, and I think was successful for the Bacon.
The weekend started well on Friday as we descended upon Kate's Brighton gaff, only to find them in the pub. Damn it, how long's it gonna take louis to get back to let us in. By the time I'd thought that Louis had arrived from the pub on the opposite street corner. Rock on! We proceeded to chat the night away in the pub with more people showing as and when and the drinks flowing nicely. We hit the hay at a sensible time, given we had an 11.05 start.
The room the Cuffster, Fi, Nik and I shared got a wake up call spot on time by a fully Baconed and excitable OHM. Turns out the other, 'young' room were up and very keen to get going on the mixed tour. There's always that nervous pre tournie excitement as we gathered in the kitchen for toast and liquid.
We made our way to the fields nice and early, to check out some of the other teams. Our first game was on a pitch currently being used by a london based cow related team, who happened to have a cow bell that haunted us throughout the weekend. I don't know how it was rung so frequently, I really don't.
our first game was against the Brown. I was nervous for all saturday games as I saw each team we had to play as a potential banana skin. Brown had some handy players, I was impressed with their standard of play in the open tour and thought that could transpose to mixed. However we took control, apart from 2 concentration blips that let them back into the game bringing it from 5-1 ish back to 5-5. We upped the pressure in the second half, until we had our second blip, letting them back in the game as we tried to close it out. Final score 13-10, shouldn't have been so close. This mental lapse would haunt us throughout our tight games this weekend.
Second up were Naoise Murphy, who I was very scared could be an Irish Mixed Worlds squad. Little did I know there wasn't one, and this was a second string bunch of Irish players, over here to play some ultimate. We had gelled well by this time and took the game 13-4 . Lesson learned - Rob has the worlds most obvious 'throw it into this corner' head fake, for which he will expect a blade or a thumber...
Last game of the day was a stormer, against Release 1. Really good close game, with either side able to take it. I think we took a run early on which we didn't give up, despite our best efforts. I really enjoyed playing this game, with all calls worked out fairly and well spiritly. I also had a good chat to one of their handlers on the side about a stall grey area whcih we could both see either side (player catch disc near sideline and runs out, marker starts stalling before he's returned to the pitch, by which time the stall is on 4. a travel is then called on the thrower, who's surprised to find he's on a 4 count before he knew was in a position on pitch to throw. It was resolved to start at 2). I understand the logic of starting while the catcher returns to pitch but personally feel that unless they're obviously time wasting, I wouldn't start that stall.
Anyway the game finished with a thorough anti climax. with the score at 12-8 (or 9ish to Bacon), the buzzer went. Release scored and I consulted with the Release captain as to whether the game should go to 13 (the normal winning cap) or should we put a 2 point cap on it. He volunteered game to 14, and I agreed, without consulting the rules. Whilst we battled to get to 14, the TD came over and confirmed we were incorrect, and we should have stopped at 13-11 Bacon. after discussion, Release offered the choice to me, take the win, or play on. Obviously I wanted to stop, and not risk the loss, saying that as the incorrect information was volunteered by them, the win should stand. Very anticlimactic and awkward, but I think it was thought a fair result by both teams. The only downside was release had 2 injuries during the extra points and I hope they weren't bad.
We spent the evening on the beach, with a few drinks, playing pebble based games, a favourite being hit the can. Once I'd had my fill of Jee's Southern Comfort and lemonade we had some slight trouble finding more beer, , simply because the cafes on the front wouldn't let us take out (fair enoughly). We found a newsagent selling stella at a premium and took some back to the beach!
Day 2 started with a game against Flaming Gallahs, Berry's team. I thought it would be a good close game between the two, and it was. I enjoyed this game the most out of the weekend, mostly because the banter was quite good (usually is when Berry's involved!). Big Rob had an awesome game, taken down some massive grabs, particularly one against Si Weeks, and a great full grab grab near the back of the zone from a huck from Ben (or Sam?).
Our fifth game ofthe weekend was agaisnt Fugazees. This was our blip. We weren't in focus at the start of the game and lost the first half 7-1, i think. As usual, once we thought we were out of contnetion, we relaxed, started playing well and found our rhythm. The game ended 13-10 to them, It's there for the taking next time. One point to note about this team is that they had over 20 players I reckon. This can count for you or against you - not sure which I prefer...
7
We then had a decent break before our final game, for 15th, against MILF, a Southampton based team, with a good core of Ltd boys who can play it around as much as possible. They could only field 3 girls most of the time, as their 4th had gone down with sunstroke (i think). We made her play for a bit, but it's hard to keep doing that to an injured player. We didn't want this game and let them have it without a fight really. 16th, up from seeded 22, which is a good start.
Lessons to be learnt from this tour are:
Get under the disc when it's in the air
Stay close to your man on D
Use the force effectively against the right oppostion
Believe we can win
Relax
It was a good showing from our newbies - Big Rob took down everything we threw at him, which was fantastic. Sam has got great speed and sweet Ups - though he can get too down on himself when running low on energy. Even at half speed he's faster than some of us oldies! Robin was as solid and dependable as ever - good to have another pair of hands at the back if needed. Rom was great to pick up - her movement and grabs helped us out loads and I hope she can come back.
Patrick was a great pickup, getting involved and helping out when he could. I hope his injury hasn't spoilt his weekend or his UK trip!
The weekend started well on Friday as we descended upon Kate's Brighton gaff, only to find them in the pub. Damn it, how long's it gonna take louis to get back to let us in. By the time I'd thought that Louis had arrived from the pub on the opposite street corner. Rock on! We proceeded to chat the night away in the pub with more people showing as and when and the drinks flowing nicely. We hit the hay at a sensible time, given we had an 11.05 start.
The room the Cuffster, Fi, Nik and I shared got a wake up call spot on time by a fully Baconed and excitable OHM. Turns out the other, 'young' room were up and very keen to get going on the mixed tour. There's always that nervous pre tournie excitement as we gathered in the kitchen for toast and liquid.
We made our way to the fields nice and early, to check out some of the other teams. Our first game was on a pitch currently being used by a london based cow related team, who happened to have a cow bell that haunted us throughout the weekend. I don't know how it was rung so frequently, I really don't.
our first game was against the Brown. I was nervous for all saturday games as I saw each team we had to play as a potential banana skin. Brown had some handy players, I was impressed with their standard of play in the open tour and thought that could transpose to mixed. However we took control, apart from 2 concentration blips that let them back into the game bringing it from 5-1 ish back to 5-5. We upped the pressure in the second half, until we had our second blip, letting them back in the game as we tried to close it out. Final score 13-10, shouldn't have been so close. This mental lapse would haunt us throughout our tight games this weekend.
Second up were Naoise Murphy, who I was very scared could be an Irish Mixed Worlds squad. Little did I know there wasn't one, and this was a second string bunch of Irish players, over here to play some ultimate. We had gelled well by this time and took the game 13-4 . Lesson learned - Rob has the worlds most obvious 'throw it into this corner' head fake, for which he will expect a blade or a thumber...
Last game of the day was a stormer, against Release 1. Really good close game, with either side able to take it. I think we took a run early on which we didn't give up, despite our best efforts. I really enjoyed playing this game, with all calls worked out fairly and well spiritly. I also had a good chat to one of their handlers on the side about a stall grey area whcih we could both see either side (player catch disc near sideline and runs out, marker starts stalling before he's returned to the pitch, by which time the stall is on 4. a travel is then called on the thrower, who's surprised to find he's on a 4 count before he knew was in a position on pitch to throw. It was resolved to start at 2). I understand the logic of starting while the catcher returns to pitch but personally feel that unless they're obviously time wasting, I wouldn't start that stall.
Anyway the game finished with a thorough anti climax. with the score at 12-8 (or 9ish to Bacon), the buzzer went. Release scored and I consulted with the Release captain as to whether the game should go to 13 (the normal winning cap) or should we put a 2 point cap on it. He volunteered game to 14, and I agreed, without consulting the rules. Whilst we battled to get to 14, the TD came over and confirmed we were incorrect, and we should have stopped at 13-11 Bacon. after discussion, Release offered the choice to me, take the win, or play on. Obviously I wanted to stop, and not risk the loss, saying that as the incorrect information was volunteered by them, the win should stand. Very anticlimactic and awkward, but I think it was thought a fair result by both teams. The only downside was release had 2 injuries during the extra points and I hope they weren't bad.
We spent the evening on the beach, with a few drinks, playing pebble based games, a favourite being hit the can. Once I'd had my fill of Jee's Southern Comfort and lemonade we had some slight trouble finding more beer, , simply because the cafes on the front wouldn't let us take out (fair enoughly). We found a newsagent selling stella at a premium and took some back to the beach!
Day 2 started with a game against Flaming Gallahs, Berry's team. I thought it would be a good close game between the two, and it was. I enjoyed this game the most out of the weekend, mostly because the banter was quite good (usually is when Berry's involved!). Big Rob had an awesome game, taken down some massive grabs, particularly one against Si Weeks, and a great full grab grab near the back of the zone from a huck from Ben (or Sam?).
Our fifth game ofthe weekend was agaisnt Fugazees. This was our blip. We weren't in focus at the start of the game and lost the first half 7-1, i think. As usual, once we thought we were out of contnetion, we relaxed, started playing well and found our rhythm. The game ended 13-10 to them, It's there for the taking next time. One point to note about this team is that they had over 20 players I reckon. This can count for you or against you - not sure which I prefer...
7
We then had a decent break before our final game, for 15th, against MILF, a Southampton based team, with a good core of Ltd boys who can play it around as much as possible. They could only field 3 girls most of the time, as their 4th had gone down with sunstroke (i think). We made her play for a bit, but it's hard to keep doing that to an injured player. We didn't want this game and let them have it without a fight really. 16th, up from seeded 22, which is a good start.
Lessons to be learnt from this tour are:
Get under the disc when it's in the air
Stay close to your man on D
Use the force effectively against the right oppostion
Believe we can win
Relax
It was a good showing from our newbies - Big Rob took down everything we threw at him, which was fantastic. Sam has got great speed and sweet Ups - though he can get too down on himself when running low on energy. Even at half speed he's faster than some of us oldies! Robin was as solid and dependable as ever - good to have another pair of hands at the back if needed. Rom was great to pick up - her movement and grabs helped us out loads and I hope she can come back.
Patrick was a great pickup, getting involved and helping out when he could. I hope his injury hasn't spoilt his weekend or his UK trip!
posted by Garry at 7:00 pm
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