Week 5 Results!

Motherhuckers 13 - Hard Force 10

Blue Sharks 13 - Pink BAMF’s 11

Yellow Fever 13 – Heavyweights 8

After the first round of competition, we can now see where all the teams are standing. It could be said that after comparing the line-ups in week one, there are a few surprises in the order. However, don’t be fooled. For it is the next 5 weeks that are the most crucial, because it is the top four teams that will progress through to the final and the bottom two teams that will be left to battle it out for the almighty wooden spoon.

Will Mike make it to 5 seasons in a row?

Will Hugh’s mum receive yet another cooking utensil?

Will Simon and his gang get his long awaited grand-final rematch?

Will Zane and his posse continue with the fairytale run?

Will the Yellow Duncans be as effective without Dave? Or

Will the Pink BAMF’s continue on their winning ways...

Over the next 5 weeks, these questions will be answered, and it is time, and only time that will tell. However, as every ultimate player knows, it is never to late.

The Motherhuckers started the game with 6 players on the field, missing their key strike player Criegan ‘Gibbo’ Gibson, due to a mid week soccer injury. However it was later that the tables turned and Motherhuckers gained a player and Hard-Force lost a player and was left with no choice but to play with 6 players. With only 6 players on the field, the decision was made by captain Simon to run a 4 person cup, which proved to be a great idea in forcing turnovers, however with a four man cup playing Savage, it was only a matter of time that cup became fatigued, except for Rowan. The four-man cup soon turned into a one man ‘superman’ cup consisting of Simon desperately lunging and scoring some sweet D’s. However the night was all Motherhuckers and some sweet catches by Melanie Burgess, distracting body of Sam, James David like reflexes of Mike, and pin-point accurate ‘puts’ by Alex ensured the Motherhuckers went on to finish the first round of games with only one loss, even with the absence of key players towards the end of the game. Motherhuckers up 13 to 8.

The Pink BAMF’s got off to a flying starting leading 2-0, though with a new defensive scheme, the Blue Sharks struck back taking the lead 3-2. The scores bounced back and forth and reached 6 all, before a Bobby miracle flick ensured the BAMF’s took out the half 7-6. In a game where each point took at least 5 minutes, the cups on both teams were being run ragged. However, it was through the careful handling of Zane, Peter and Fraser that the Blue Sharks were able to keep their nose above water and keep a one to two point lead through the second half. It was the combination of Dave and Bobby in associations with inspirational D’s by Rob that kept the Pink BAMF’s in the game. With two drops in the end zone, not naming names (DEANNA), the Pink BAMF’s crawled back to 11-11. With a crowd of over 20 fine folks brewing, it was game time. Where the best players were put to the test of Ultimate pressure, not even Michael Jordan himself had experienced such a clutch moment. With every single player on the field gasping for air, an entire team was forced to hold Shay back from running onto the field and playing. It was Katherine in her last game in Townsville that got the ever so important goal over her older sister Stine to ensure bragging rights going home. Though with their nose just in front, the Blue Sharks could not be denied a victory taking the win 13-11 in a thriller. Special mention goes out Katherine and Fraser on the Sharks and Bec, Stine and Ryan Miller on the Pink BAMF’s.

In this battle of the bottom two teams, pride was on the line. With the Heavyweights flaring off their new team singlets they were rearing to go. The Heavyweights lined up this week with a new mentality and prepared for battle. In the beginning of the game the teams started off even with the points going back and forth like a tennis match. After a 2-2 buffer, it was the Heavyweights who pulled off to the first assailable string of points to lead 6-2, however it was the Yellow Duncan’s who replied, taking the half with a 5 point comeback. The Heavyweight’s used their height to dominate a lot of points, though with mistimed cutting, miscommunication or simply lack of awareness, the Heavyweights couldn’t capitalise on valuable field position and turned over the disc. The scores once again see-sawed through to 8 all and with the Yellow Duncan’s finding their best defensive form of the season, kept the Heavyweights scoreless. Standouts for the Heavyweights included Brad, Yvonne and Vaporeon, also a special mention to Jean, Rob and Carly for solid efforts in defence on the Yellow team. Yellow Fever is on a two game winning streak, defeating the Heavyweights 13 to 8.

It is also worth mentioning that whilst winning is a high priority and pride is on the line, winning should not be a sacrifice for spirit. Keep in mind that the reasoning behind the rule of a no referee system was based upon Ultimate being a player run game, with rules being called and challenged by the players themselves. It is through these rules that the spirit of the game exists and it is through the spirit of the game that makes Ultimate such a tight knit sport. We need the spirit of the game to ensure that at the end of each game, we can still walk away as friends, with no grudges being held. For this is why Ultimate is the best kept secret in the world, it is the joys, memories and lifelong friendships formed outside the game that we remember forever. So remember, play hard, but keep in mind that it is a social league and ensure that friendships are not broken through on the field arguments.

I would like to finish with a quote from Ashley O’Sullivan when asked:

‘What does it take to become as good as you?’

“The best Ultimate player is not the fastest, fittest, strongest nor tallest. The best ultimate players are the ones who are the smartest. The player with the best strategies, mental attitude, motivation, awareness and overall knowledge of the game, are the ones who make it the furthest. For Ultimate is all about being in the right place at the right time, so practice your throws and catches, but always be aware of the mental side of the game. Like in all games, the most successful players are the ones who arrive first, and leave last. “

O’Sullivan, A 2010.