I thought I've seen it all in Townsville Ultimate but this week's games offered up some surprises. Huge layouts, intense rallies, surprise comebacks, and even a Callahan were had in Round 3 of the Townsville Ultimate Disc League.
Game 1 - Django Unchained VS Cockwalas
Cockwalas' winning start to the season came to a crushing end last night with a devastating loss to Django Unchained after an intense, epic, and grueling game last night. Cockwalas started the first half in the exact form that saw them win their previous two games. Despite dropping the first two points, Cockwalas quickly regained their composure and organised their zone set-up. Cockwalas found the perfect cup set-up with Mitchell, Josh, and Janelle which put a huge amount of defensive pressure on Django's handlers. The Cockwalas did what they did best on offense with their signature continuation play, which was quick and fluid as usual, and they managed to take the first half 7-2.
Confidence was high in the Cockwalas camp and it looked like they were about to take down another "W". However, do not discount James' ability to rally his team with a half-time pep talk (some say the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson took motivational courses from James).
And rally them he did. Django Unchained came out guns-a-blazin' in the second half and scored five points in succession. Cockwalas were befuddled at this point in time and were unable to come up with an answer. Some would have expected Dehollander to call a time-out but to the surprise of most, he didn't. Cockwalas suffered throughout the second half and matters weren't helped by newbie handler Phangbang dropping more discs than he should and throwing away a couple of easy throws.
Whilst Phangbang and his team were being woefully wasteful on their possessions, Django Unchained fought for every disc. Rob and Rowan, and even newcomer Laurel Zaima, were putting their bodies on the line with sliding catches and lay-outs. Nittya played extremely well in the gut, making well-timed cuts to help Django advance the disc up-field during possession.
Final score: Django Unchained's organisation and patient play helped them make an incredible comeback in the second half. Cockwalas on the other hand looked unsure and were hasty on the disc when they should have been patient and were too lacklustre on turnovers they should have been quick on. 13-9 victory to Django Unchained.
Game 2 - Blue Crush VS Seagulls
Despite losing big man Damo to Tie Dynosaurs in a transfer move, Seagulls were still widely tipped to win this game. However, Blue Crush were determined to prove the pundits wrong and started the game with two quick points by smashing through Seagulls' cup defense as they struggled to adapt a zone set-up.
Seagulls captains Robert and Deanna then made a decision to switch to a more familiar man-marking defense which worked extremely well in their favour and effectively shut down Blue Crush's offense for the rest of the half. Seagulls scored seven points in a row to take down the first half 7-2.
After the half-time break, Seagulls switched back to zone defense in order to familiarise their players with it. Seagulls employed the puppy fence instead of the traditional zone defense and this proved to be very effective in upping the defensive pressure, forcing Blue Crush to drop many crucial passes.
The highlight of the match came when Seagulls' new player Todd scored on a Callahan grab. A Callahan, for those who are not aware, is when a player makes a defensive grab in the opponent's end zone, resulting in a straight point.
Blue Crush were determined to fight back and they upped the ante by putting on a hard zone which allowed them to score three points in quick succession. However, momentum was on Seagulls' side and they managed to hold their ground en route to another victory.
Final score: Although not many would be surprised by the Seagulls' 13-5 victory, the scoreline did not do Blue Crush justice and certainly did not reflect how close the game actually was.
Game 3 - Tie Dynosaurs VS Fluro Fantasy
The game that was tipped to be the most exciting game this week certainly lived up to its hype. Both teams went toe-to-toe from start to finish and it was difficult to tell both teams apart throughout the entire match. Both teams seemed to adapt to the zone well and Fluro Fantasy did well to keep up with Tie Dynosaurs despite not having captain Ash for the first five points. With Fluro Fantasy trailing by one at 3-2, Ash managed to make it to the fields to join his team.
With the addition of Ash, Fluro Fantasy began playing with more gusto and even managed to open up a slight lead. However, Tie Dynosaurs managed to clean up their act and that enabled them to take the first half 7-6.
Both teams came out after half-time looking to reach the magical 13 but it was Fluro Fantasy that looked like they had more energy and enthusiasm. Not much more can be said about Austin, who put his body on the line and pretty much layed-out for anything that looked like it was within a one-mile radius of him. Magical work from Fluro girls on the wings, both on offense and defense, helped Fluro Fantasy outscore the Dynosaurs to reach 11-8 at one point in the second half.
However, you should never let your guard down, especially against the Dynosaurs, as anything can happen. And it was just that; Fluro Fantasy thought they were going to cruise to a victory but the Dynosaurs scored three quickfire points to draw the game at 11-11.
At 11-11, Fluro Fantasy stopped being complacent and started playing better Frisbee by looking for those 100% passes and high percentage hucks and managed to take the lead once more.
Even though Fluro Fantasy are a point away from victory, Tie Dynosaurs can still turn the tide. And things were certainly looking that way until Andy Gosbee managed to break away from Finny on a deep cut. Ash spotted his cutter and hucks a long bomb. All seemed over with deep player Finny 20m away; however, never discount the speed Finny has in those chicken legs. Sprinting his guts out, Finny managed to chase the disc down and get fingertips on it to tip it away from its path. Everyone thought that was the end of that play, but not Andy; he took two steps forward and grabbed the dropping disc with a one-handed lay-out for the winning point and possibly the best layout ever seen in Townsville Ultimate Disc League. The crowd went nuts at that play and that grab definitely wins the play of the day.
Final score: In a match that could have swung either way, it was Fluro Fantasy that showed more grit and mettle to take it 13-11.
Game 4 - Mitey Discs VS Purple Haze
Credits to Purple Haze captain Swan for employing her mind games in this match. When Mattie walked up to her for the toss, she cried: "oh we don't have a lot of players tonight so we won't be able to sub much and our players will probably have to play a lot!" Mitey Discs captain Mattie, in spirit of the game, decided to play with four males and three females throughout the entire game even though they would have fared better with five males and two females.
Even though they weren't playing with their best lineup, Mitey Discs started the game fairly enough. The first few points were all Mitey Discs as they broke through Purple Haze's zone defense to score and boxed in Purple Haze with their own zone defense to limit the Haze's scoring. Mitey Discs were high on confidence at this point and probably fully expected to win.
Purple Haze then introduced a surprise player, Tyson Buhagiar, from Charters Towers. Tyson is rock-solid as a handler and lightning quick as a cutter, plus he has a big physical presence to boot. Tyson helped Purple Haze reorganise itself into the formidable team they were supposed to be and helping them score a few points in succession to bring the score to 10-8 in their favour.
Mattie then decided to switch up his handlers and put himself in a receiver's role to get his middle poppers moving. An extremely bold move by the Reds' captain but one that proved effectively as Mitey Discs took the next four points "boom-boom-boom-boom" to bring the score to 12-10. Victory was just a point away for the Reds at this point and it looked like all hope was lost for Purple Haze!
What happened next went on to shock the players, the spectators, and the pundits alike. Swan worked her charm on her team and what happened next was pure, unadulterated, classic Purple Haze frisbee. Purple Haze were unstoppable as they took the next three points to take the game from right under Mitey Discs's nose!
Final score: Purple Haze with a late rally to win the game 13-12. Easily the most exciting match this week, this is exactly what Ultimate is all about! 10/10 for heart, 10/10 for intensity, 10/10 for spirit and definitely 10/10 for fun!
Game 5 - Robust Fawn VS Grapists
With the return of Chris Palazzi, Robust Fawn added another experienced player to their team. However, Grapists are not without their own key players. Captain Chris Ende is himself an experienced player and excels well as both a handler and a cutter. Brandon Gatzke is good on the disc and extremely fast off it. Big man Phil English is also an adept handler and his ability to read the game is amazing.
Both teams adapted well to the idea of playing zone. The disc was swung brilliantly by the handlers on both sides and cutters were making good cuts into open spaces as well.
Robust Fawn, perhaps with their two experienced players, managed to get the upper hand early in the game. Grapists conceded an early lead to allow Robust Fawn to take the half.
Grapists clawed their way back in the second half and the game got a little physical with a few collisions throughout. However, great spirit was observed as the players would help each other off the ground after a collision. A spirited Grapists performance late in the second half forced Robust Fawn to really work for their last few points.
Final score: Robust Fawn hangs on to emerge 13-11 victors in a game that was somewhat physical. However, great spirit was shown by both teams. Grapists definitely surprised us with their 11 points scored and I have a feeling they might be the league's dark horse this season.
This week featured extremely well-fought and close games. Some teams adapted well to the zone and some teams took a little more time to get their zone going. It is now up to the captains to decide which strategy works best for them. Next week promises an even more exciting round of games with teams possibly mixing up zone with man.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Monday, March 25, 2013
Round 3 Preview
Round 3 of Townsville Ultimate action is almost upon us and now that we're two weeks in, it gives us a better idea of the teams and how they might perform. With that being said, here's an "expert's" predictions on this week's matches.
Game 1 - Django Unchained VS Cockwalas
Now this is an interesting game to watch. If you have been following this blog, you will know that, even though they lost in Round 1, James David's Django Unchained are a force to be reckoned with. But Cockwalas have two wins under their belt and they will look to continue their winning form.
With Rowan Hall and Gibbo back in the line-up after missing the first game and new addition Aaron Hynds, Django Unchained have a strong team in terms of physicality and athleticism. Defensively, Django Unchained will undoubtedly shut down Cockwalas' long game with captain and world-record high jumper James David sitting deep.
However Cockwalas are not without a few threats of their own. Big man Josh McIntyre is fast developing into an all-round Ultimate player that possesses speed, height, and physical prowess. Cockwalas also feature a hardworking female line-up with Laura Knecht bringing with her the experience of the previous semester and Chi MaGee's excellent reading of the game together with the engines Sheona, Biz, and Janelle. Cockwalas are capable of working the disc even without captain Dave Dehollander.
Prediction: This is a tough game to predict, if Cockwalas maintain their form, they will be "bringing it" and will be looking to upset Django Unchained. However, Django Unchained looks too formidable at the moment with James, Gibbo, Aaron, and Rowan and I predict a 13-8 victory for them.
Game 2 - Blue Crush VS Seagulls
Arguably the strongest team at the moment, Seagulls have blown away all their competition in the league thus far. The morale in the team will undoubtedly be extremely high this week following their previous two victories. Expect them to come out in force once again with captain Robert Dehollander and up-and-coming Australian Ultimate star Deanna Finn dictating the pace.
After a promising start to the season, Blue Crush succumbed to Fluro Fantasy in Round 2 after an exciting match that went down to the wire. I'm sure Timmy and his team will be looking to bounce back after last week's defeat. I predict a few long plays will be seen in this match with Timmy looking for the speedy Rob Davies on those puts. New players Torunn Lervik and Miguel Yagual look extremely promising for Blue Crush and you can expect them to bring their A-game.
Prediction: Blue Crush look determined to erase the memories of last week's defeat but I think Seagulls' excellent form will see them take this game 13-9.
Game 3 - Tie Dynosaurs VS Fluro Fantasy
A clash between the Tye Dynosaurs and Fluro Fantasy see two of the best handlers in the league Finny and Ash go up against each other. The Dynosaur's captain Finny will be looking to employ the short give-and-go game with his team, a play he has perfected over the years which many other teams still find difficult to beat. With the introduction of the zone, expect to find Finny sitting deep and cutting off the opponents' long plays whilst organising his defense. Josh Phipps of the Dynosaurs has been working on his handling game and inside sources reveal that he can throw a bullet of a flick; which will be useful if Dynosaurs' receivers manage to get on the end of them.
On the other hand, Fluro Fantasy captain Ash will have an array of tricks up his sleeves. Backhand, forehand, hammer, scoober, thumber; you name it and you can expect Ash to use it. Sabrina Beer, who scored five points in the first round but had to sit out against Blue Crush due to an illness is expected to make a comeback. Captain "Ash" has labelled her his "go-to-girl", and you don't need a cryptologist to tell you what that means
Prediction: Another tough game to predict, this game promises excitement for start to finish. I suspect the teams will match each other point for point but I think Finny's tactical experience will give Tie Dynosaurs the edge in this one. Dynosaurs to win 13-11.
Game 4 - Mitey Discs VS Purple Haze
With probably one of the strongest female line-ups in the league, Purple Haze will be looking to beat the Mitey Discs this week after their encouraging performance against Django Unchained in Round 2. There are no stand-out players in Purple Haze but as a team, they are certainly impressive. Aline and captain Swan will be looking to dominate Mitey Discs' female players. Purple Haze pack a pretty strong male line-up as well, featuring the speed of Shane, as well as the physical presence of James Murr and captain Ryan.
Physically, Mitey Discs aren't the best team in the league. However, Ultimate is not about physicality but more about skill, and teamwork; something which Mitey Discs possess in abundance. After last week's glorious victory against Tie Dynosaurs, Mitey Discs will want to ride on the euphoria of the previous week to another victory. In an exclusive interview, Purple Haze captain Swan revealed that she will be poaching a lot and the Mitey Discs will definitely want to take advantage of that.
Prediction: With the introduction of the zone defense, I think Purple Haze, with their slight height advantage, will be able to take this game 13-10.
Game 5 - Robust Fawn VS Grapists
Perhaps the most fortuitous match-up this week. The last game of Round 3 features two teams who have lost in the previous round. Expect Red, Andy, Nathan, and captain Kramer of Robust Fawn to come out playing this week after last week's unfortunate loss. Handling specialist Zane Quinn will once again look to utilise his experience and handling skills to swing this game in his team's favour.
After a disappointing start to the season with two losses, Grapists will want to erase the memories of their previous games and get their season started this week. Hopefully captain Chris "Jazzy McGee" Ende will have sorted out tactics for his team and be able to find one that suits Grapists best.
Prediction: Although I really want a Grapists victory, I can't see that happening this week. Robust Fawn to win it 13-6.
I look forward to another exciting week of Ultimate. If I didn't tip your team to win, it's because the laws of the great state of Queensland state that pundits must be "professional and impartial in their predictions". Remember, however, that everyone loves an underdog win so let's go and play some disc!
Game 1 - Django Unchained VS Cockwalas
Now this is an interesting game to watch. If you have been following this blog, you will know that, even though they lost in Round 1, James David's Django Unchained are a force to be reckoned with. But Cockwalas have two wins under their belt and they will look to continue their winning form.
With Rowan Hall and Gibbo back in the line-up after missing the first game and new addition Aaron Hynds, Django Unchained have a strong team in terms of physicality and athleticism. Defensively, Django Unchained will undoubtedly shut down Cockwalas' long game with captain and world-record high jumper James David sitting deep.
However Cockwalas are not without a few threats of their own. Big man Josh McIntyre is fast developing into an all-round Ultimate player that possesses speed, height, and physical prowess. Cockwalas also feature a hardworking female line-up with Laura Knecht bringing with her the experience of the previous semester and Chi MaGee's excellent reading of the game together with the engines Sheona, Biz, and Janelle. Cockwalas are capable of working the disc even without captain Dave Dehollander.
Prediction: This is a tough game to predict, if Cockwalas maintain their form, they will be "bringing it" and will be looking to upset Django Unchained. However, Django Unchained looks too formidable at the moment with James, Gibbo, Aaron, and Rowan and I predict a 13-8 victory for them.
Game 2 - Blue Crush VS Seagulls
Arguably the strongest team at the moment, Seagulls have blown away all their competition in the league thus far. The morale in the team will undoubtedly be extremely high this week following their previous two victories. Expect them to come out in force once again with captain Robert Dehollander and up-and-coming Australian Ultimate star Deanna Finn dictating the pace.
After a promising start to the season, Blue Crush succumbed to Fluro Fantasy in Round 2 after an exciting match that went down to the wire. I'm sure Timmy and his team will be looking to bounce back after last week's defeat. I predict a few long plays will be seen in this match with Timmy looking for the speedy Rob Davies on those puts. New players Torunn Lervik and Miguel Yagual look extremely promising for Blue Crush and you can expect them to bring their A-game.
Prediction: Blue Crush look determined to erase the memories of last week's defeat but I think Seagulls' excellent form will see them take this game 13-9.
Game 3 - Tie Dynosaurs VS Fluro Fantasy
A clash between the Tye Dynosaurs and Fluro Fantasy see two of the best handlers in the league Finny and Ash go up against each other. The Dynosaur's captain Finny will be looking to employ the short give-and-go game with his team, a play he has perfected over the years which many other teams still find difficult to beat. With the introduction of the zone, expect to find Finny sitting deep and cutting off the opponents' long plays whilst organising his defense. Josh Phipps of the Dynosaurs has been working on his handling game and inside sources reveal that he can throw a bullet of a flick; which will be useful if Dynosaurs' receivers manage to get on the end of them.
On the other hand, Fluro Fantasy captain Ash will have an array of tricks up his sleeves. Backhand, forehand, hammer, scoober, thumber; you name it and you can expect Ash to use it. Sabrina Beer, who scored five points in the first round but had to sit out against Blue Crush due to an illness is expected to make a comeback. Captain "Ash" has labelled her his "go-to-girl", and you don't need a cryptologist to tell you what that means
Prediction: Another tough game to predict, this game promises excitement for start to finish. I suspect the teams will match each other point for point but I think Finny's tactical experience will give Tie Dynosaurs the edge in this one. Dynosaurs to win 13-11.
Game 4 - Mitey Discs VS Purple Haze
With probably one of the strongest female line-ups in the league, Purple Haze will be looking to beat the Mitey Discs this week after their encouraging performance against Django Unchained in Round 2. There are no stand-out players in Purple Haze but as a team, they are certainly impressive. Aline and captain Swan will be looking to dominate Mitey Discs' female players. Purple Haze pack a pretty strong male line-up as well, featuring the speed of Shane, as well as the physical presence of James Murr and captain Ryan.
Physically, Mitey Discs aren't the best team in the league. However, Ultimate is not about physicality but more about skill, and teamwork; something which Mitey Discs possess in abundance. After last week's glorious victory against Tie Dynosaurs, Mitey Discs will want to ride on the euphoria of the previous week to another victory. In an exclusive interview, Purple Haze captain Swan revealed that she will be poaching a lot and the Mitey Discs will definitely want to take advantage of that.
Prediction: With the introduction of the zone defense, I think Purple Haze, with their slight height advantage, will be able to take this game 13-10.
Game 5 - Robust Fawn VS Grapists
Perhaps the most fortuitous match-up this week. The last game of Round 3 features two teams who have lost in the previous round. Expect Red, Andy, Nathan, and captain Kramer of Robust Fawn to come out playing this week after last week's unfortunate loss. Handling specialist Zane Quinn will once again look to utilise his experience and handling skills to swing this game in his team's favour.
After a disappointing start to the season with two losses, Grapists will want to erase the memories of their previous games and get their season started this week. Hopefully captain Chris "Jazzy McGee" Ende will have sorted out tactics for his team and be able to find one that suits Grapists best.
Prediction: Although I really want a Grapists victory, I can't see that happening this week. Robust Fawn to win it 13-6.
I look forward to another exciting week of Ultimate. If I didn't tip your team to win, it's because the laws of the great state of Queensland state that pundits must be "professional and impartial in their predictions". Remember, however, that everyone loves an underdog win so let's go and play some disc!
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Let's Talk Zone
Week three of Townsville Ultimate Disc League is always abuzz with excitement and anticipation because this is the week where teams will begin incorporating zone offenses and defenses.
Are you tired of jumping into the stack every time a pass is made? Is chasing a player who seems like he has ingested the red blood cells of a million young puppies exhausting? If you answered yes to these questions, then you most likely will look forward to playing zone.
What exactly is "zone" you ask? Well put some ice in your shirt and cool your tits because that's what I'm here to do in the first place.
Let's talk about zone offense first. A traditional zone offense will have three handlers, two wing players, and two players in the middle.
Are you tired of jumping into the stack every time a pass is made? Is chasing a player who seems like he has ingested the red blood cells of a million young puppies exhausting? If you answered yes to these questions, then you most likely will look forward to playing zone.
What exactly is "zone" you ask? Well put some ice in your shirt and cool your tits because that's what I'm here to do in the first place.
Let's talk about zone offense first. A traditional zone offense will have three handlers, two wing players, and two players in the middle.
In case you are confused, here's a really simplified diagram of a zone offense. Players 1, 2, and 3 are the handlers, players 4 and 5 are the poppers in the middle, and players 6 and 7 are your wingers. I could go on to tell you what the roles of each player is, what cuts each player should make and when they should make it but I think I will leave that task to your captains.
Defense is the best form of offense, or so they say, and having a good zone offense will all be for naught if your defense can't keep up. Zone defense has almost the same positions set up as zone offense in the sense that you will having three players running the "cup", two on the wings, one in the middle and one sitting deep.
Notice how players 1, 2, and 3 of the blue team are surrounding or "cupping" the handler of the red team. Their job is to prevent them from throwing to the "break" side, i.e. force them to throw to the side of the field that your team is forcing. As for the other players, I think your captains can explain their roles better than I can.
That's if for Let's Talk Zone. I hope everyone's fresh and eagerly anticipating Wednesday for another round of exciting Ultimate action!
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Townsville Ultimate Disc League Round 2
Here's Week 2's review of the games!
Game 1 - Robust Fawn VS Cockwalas
Cockwalas VS Robust Fawn was an interesting game, with three players fatigued but fresh with new experience from Northern Regionals going head to head. Both teams have extremely athletic players and this match was always going to be fast-paced from start to finish.
Robust Fawn started strongly and raced to a two-point lead within the first ten minutes with backhand specialist Zane Quinn dictating the play but Cockwalas rallied which led to a long and grueling third point. Cockwalas then picked up momentum with captain Dave Dehollander utilising the wind to huck the disc which was chased down by speedsters Mitchell and David Phang; a tactic which worked well for the Cockwalas and saw them take the first half 7-4.
The second half saw a much closer contest as Robust Fawn began to play with more spirit and confidence. Cockwalas, not surprisingly, decided to run the same play that helped them take the first half, employing Dehollander's strong throwing hand and the speed of Mitchell and Phangbang. However, Robust Fawn were ready for this and had their own bunch of speedsters in Andy, Nathan, and Red. Captain Michael Kramer closed down Dehollander's long looks with tight marks which forced Cockwalas to play a shorter game.
Final score: After a hard fought game, Cockwalas took the game 13-9. Both teams displayed their physical prowess and it will be interesting to see where their potential takes them.
Game 2 - Blue Crush VS Fluro Fantasy
Game 2 of this week saw a match-up between the Blue Crush and Fluro Fantasy. Fluro Fantasy have a strong lineup featuring the superior handling skills of captain Ashley O'Sullivan and Andy Gosbee, and the strong physical presence of Riley. However, Blue Crush have their own big man in the form of Timmy Roland. They also have agility and speed of Rob Davies on their side as well as some hardworking, ass-busting female players!
The whole match was evenly matched and the first half was taken by Fluro Fantasy through two break points. However Blue Crush started the second half strong and managed to take two break points of their own to tie the game 7-7. Both teams then went point for point and during this exchange the match saw both captains look for long options. However, the wind proved to be an obstacle as hucks were misthrown and discs were dropped. Wind or no wind though, let us not take anything away from Wes Monts who ran down and caught a full-field Hammer with a glorious dive at the scoreline. At 10-10, Fluro Fantasy rallied and strategically took down the last three points to race to a victory.
Final score: In a very closely fought game, Fluro Fantasy managed to edge out Blue Crush to a 13-10 victory. Side note; Aggie Dehollander needs to start catching the disc and stop flirting with Riley!
Game 3 - Seagulls VS Grapists
Talk about a shutdown! Only one team turned up for this match and no prizes for guessing which. Seagulls, high on last week's victory over Django Unchained, looked to make it two in a row with a victory over Grapists. With experienced handlers such as Deanna Finn and Robert Dehollander, Grapists would've found it difficult to stop Seagulls working the disc up the field and they did. Seagulls looked dangerous as they swung the disc back and forth among the team and up the field with fluid and precise efficiency.
Not only did the Seagulls bring the heat in offense, they set up an ice wall of a defense. A tight man-marking defensive play saw Seagulls limit Grapists to only two points in the whole match. To be fair to the Grapists, they managed to work the disc up the field a number of times but just couldn't find that last pass. Or they would have the disc and get too hasty and throw it away.
Final score: Seagulls with an overwhelming 13-2 victory over Grapists. It will be exciting to see the Deanna-Rob partnership develop over this season. Grapists definitely have great potential and all they need is a little more practice and patience on the field and I dare say they'll be a force to be reckoned with!
Game 4 - Django Unchained VS Purple Haze
To be honest I wasn't expecting Purple Haze to put up a fight in this one, which was why it surprised me when they went point for point with Django Unchained. Captains Liss "Swan" Bowden and Ryan Miller kept Purple Haze tight and organised and surprised the pundits even more by snatching two quick points at the end of the first half to seal it 7-6.
Now for those of you who aren't aware, James David's black team has always been imposing throughout the seasons. With their inspiring all black kit and formidable field presence, some have compared the All Blacks to James' teams and have said that's how the Kiwis got inspired. Thus when Purple Haze took the lead at half-time, most neutrals were salivating for an upset.
But alas, tonight was not the night Django Unchained would be denied. They came out steamrolling in the second half and scored a couple of quick points right off the bat. Maybe that had a psychological impact on Purple Haze because it appeared as if they switched off for the second half which allowed Django Unchained to completely neutralise the Purple Haze offense and power to a victory.
Final score: In a game that held so much promise for Purple Haze, Django Unchained managed to hold on and emerge as 13-7 victors.
Game 5 - Tie Dynosaurs VS Mitey Discs
A meeting of two friends turned into a battle of two enemies in the Ultimate arena. Long time friends and captains of their respective teams Matthew "Finny" Finn and Matt Hamilton went up against each other in Round 2 of Townsville Ultimate League.
The first half saw an efficient Tie Dynosaur side methodically picking apart a careless Mitey Discs side. Finny used his incredible handling abilities to swing the disc back and forth between his team and this allowed the Dynosaurs to quickly work their way up the field and score some quick points to take the first half 7-3. Mitey Discs were dispirited and thought that the first half was the beginning of the end of their game, and the Dynosaurs thought they had the game in the bag.
How wrong they were! Mitey Discs came out firing on all cylinders in the second half and we soon had a game on our hands. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Mitey Discs managed to tie the game up at 11-11 and two subsequent quickfire points ensured victory for Mitey Discs. What a day it was for the Mitey Discs and what a great victory it was for captain Matt Hamilton to be able to put one over Finny!
Final score: Mitey Disc came back miraculously to beat Tie Dynosaurs 13-11. A high intensity game was played by both teams all the way to the finish and rock solid performances were put in by all the players. In the words of Mattie Hamilton: "The Huddle stank but that's when you know everyone gave it their all!".
It was great to see the spirit everyone brought with them and the heart they put into training and playing. We will be introducing the zone offense and defense next week and it should be interesting to see the teams adapt and adopt the strategies which suit them best. That's all we have for you for this week's games. Check this space for fixtures and pundits' predictions of Round 3 of the Townsville Ultimate League. Until next time, see ya!
Game 1 - Robust Fawn VS Cockwalas
Cockwalas VS Robust Fawn was an interesting game, with three players fatigued but fresh with new experience from Northern Regionals going head to head. Both teams have extremely athletic players and this match was always going to be fast-paced from start to finish.
Robust Fawn started strongly and raced to a two-point lead within the first ten minutes with backhand specialist Zane Quinn dictating the play but Cockwalas rallied which led to a long and grueling third point. Cockwalas then picked up momentum with captain Dave Dehollander utilising the wind to huck the disc which was chased down by speedsters Mitchell and David Phang; a tactic which worked well for the Cockwalas and saw them take the first half 7-4.
The second half saw a much closer contest as Robust Fawn began to play with more spirit and confidence. Cockwalas, not surprisingly, decided to run the same play that helped them take the first half, employing Dehollander's strong throwing hand and the speed of Mitchell and Phangbang. However, Robust Fawn were ready for this and had their own bunch of speedsters in Andy, Nathan, and Red. Captain Michael Kramer closed down Dehollander's long looks with tight marks which forced Cockwalas to play a shorter game.
Final score: After a hard fought game, Cockwalas took the game 13-9. Both teams displayed their physical prowess and it will be interesting to see where their potential takes them.
Game 2 - Blue Crush VS Fluro Fantasy
Game 2 of this week saw a match-up between the Blue Crush and Fluro Fantasy. Fluro Fantasy have a strong lineup featuring the superior handling skills of captain Ashley O'Sullivan and Andy Gosbee, and the strong physical presence of Riley. However, Blue Crush have their own big man in the form of Timmy Roland. They also have agility and speed of Rob Davies on their side as well as some hardworking, ass-busting female players!
The whole match was evenly matched and the first half was taken by Fluro Fantasy through two break points. However Blue Crush started the second half strong and managed to take two break points of their own to tie the game 7-7. Both teams then went point for point and during this exchange the match saw both captains look for long options. However, the wind proved to be an obstacle as hucks were misthrown and discs were dropped. Wind or no wind though, let us not take anything away from Wes Monts who ran down and caught a full-field Hammer with a glorious dive at the scoreline. At 10-10, Fluro Fantasy rallied and strategically took down the last three points to race to a victory.
Final score: In a very closely fought game, Fluro Fantasy managed to edge out Blue Crush to a 13-10 victory. Side note; Aggie Dehollander needs to start catching the disc and stop flirting with Riley!
Game 3 - Seagulls VS Grapists
Talk about a shutdown! Only one team turned up for this match and no prizes for guessing which. Seagulls, high on last week's victory over Django Unchained, looked to make it two in a row with a victory over Grapists. With experienced handlers such as Deanna Finn and Robert Dehollander, Grapists would've found it difficult to stop Seagulls working the disc up the field and they did. Seagulls looked dangerous as they swung the disc back and forth among the team and up the field with fluid and precise efficiency.
Not only did the Seagulls bring the heat in offense, they set up an ice wall of a defense. A tight man-marking defensive play saw Seagulls limit Grapists to only two points in the whole match. To be fair to the Grapists, they managed to work the disc up the field a number of times but just couldn't find that last pass. Or they would have the disc and get too hasty and throw it away.
Final score: Seagulls with an overwhelming 13-2 victory over Grapists. It will be exciting to see the Deanna-Rob partnership develop over this season. Grapists definitely have great potential and all they need is a little more practice and patience on the field and I dare say they'll be a force to be reckoned with!
Game 4 - Django Unchained VS Purple Haze
To be honest I wasn't expecting Purple Haze to put up a fight in this one, which was why it surprised me when they went point for point with Django Unchained. Captains Liss "Swan" Bowden and Ryan Miller kept Purple Haze tight and organised and surprised the pundits even more by snatching two quick points at the end of the first half to seal it 7-6.
Now for those of you who aren't aware, James David's black team has always been imposing throughout the seasons. With their inspiring all black kit and formidable field presence, some have compared the All Blacks to James' teams and have said that's how the Kiwis got inspired. Thus when Purple Haze took the lead at half-time, most neutrals were salivating for an upset.
But alas, tonight was not the night Django Unchained would be denied. They came out steamrolling in the second half and scored a couple of quick points right off the bat. Maybe that had a psychological impact on Purple Haze because it appeared as if they switched off for the second half which allowed Django Unchained to completely neutralise the Purple Haze offense and power to a victory.
Final score: In a game that held so much promise for Purple Haze, Django Unchained managed to hold on and emerge as 13-7 victors.
Game 5 - Tie Dynosaurs VS Mitey Discs
A meeting of two friends turned into a battle of two enemies in the Ultimate arena. Long time friends and captains of their respective teams Matthew "Finny" Finn and Matt Hamilton went up against each other in Round 2 of Townsville Ultimate League.
The first half saw an efficient Tie Dynosaur side methodically picking apart a careless Mitey Discs side. Finny used his incredible handling abilities to swing the disc back and forth between his team and this allowed the Dynosaurs to quickly work their way up the field and score some quick points to take the first half 7-3. Mitey Discs were dispirited and thought that the first half was the beginning of the end of their game, and the Dynosaurs thought they had the game in the bag.
How wrong they were! Mitey Discs came out firing on all cylinders in the second half and we soon had a game on our hands. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Mitey Discs managed to tie the game up at 11-11 and two subsequent quickfire points ensured victory for Mitey Discs. What a day it was for the Mitey Discs and what a great victory it was for captain Matt Hamilton to be able to put one over Finny!
Final score: Mitey Disc came back miraculously to beat Tie Dynosaurs 13-11. A high intensity game was played by both teams all the way to the finish and rock solid performances were put in by all the players. In the words of Mattie Hamilton: "The Huddle stank but that's when you know everyone gave it their all!".
It was great to see the spirit everyone brought with them and the heart they put into training and playing. We will be introducing the zone offense and defense next week and it should be interesting to see the teams adapt and adopt the strategies which suit them best. That's all we have for you for this week's games. Check this space for fixtures and pundits' predictions of Round 3 of the Townsville Ultimate League. Until next time, see ya!
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Northern Regionals 2013!
The Townsville Villains flew down to Brisbane over the St Patrick's Day weekend for the North Regionals 2013. The Villains team, consisting of Finny, Chris, Jazzy, Ashley, Andy, Kramer, Josh, Bevo, David Dehollander, David Phang, and pickups Tyson, and Mansauce, played and intense, fun, and epic weekend of Ultimate.
Northern Regionals 2013 saw Andy, Kramer, Josh, and Phang take part in their first ever competitive Ultimate tournament and it was exciting to see them learn and improve over the weekend.
It wasn't a bad weekend, considering 1/3 of the team were first timers and half the team have never really played together before. The Townsville gave the state champions and runner-ups a run for their money, and beat the rest of the teams.
Villains men weren't the only one to go to the Northern Regionals. Three of our own Villains chicas were also at the weekend tournament playing with Cherry Bombs, one of the women's teams in Brisbane.
Northern Regionals 2013 saw Andy, Kramer, Josh, and Phang take part in their first ever competitive Ultimate tournament and it was exciting to see them learn and improve over the weekend.
It wasn't a bad weekend, considering 1/3 of the team were first timers and half the team have never really played together before. The Townsville gave the state champions and runner-ups a run for their money, and beat the rest of the teams.
Villains men weren't the only one to go to the Northern Regionals. Three of our own Villains chicas were also at the weekend tournament playing with Cherry Bombs, one of the women's teams in Brisbane.
(Dave Dehollander and Matt Finn talking tactics)
(From left: Josh, Palazzi, Krammer, Dave, Bevo, and Ash)
(Ashley O'Sullivan with the first pull of the tournament)
(Chris Ende tight on the mark)
(Woah how did that get in there!?)
(Spirit of the game, teams huddling after a match ends)
(In case you didn't get enough of Ash's awesome pulls!)
That's all for this weekend's coverage of Townsville Ultimate! Stay tuned next week for round two of Townsville Ultimate League!
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