vs Release (won 15-4)
We sailed through the game on the end of some hard D (both man and zone), getting easy turns on their goal line and scoring efficiently. We scored anyway we could, including a few "my-god-did-we-really-flow-that-quickly?" points where we scored so fast they barely had time to say "stalling 1". Our handlers were busting deep early and we started the weekend off well with some obscene layout grabs (one of Mum's springs to mind off a tossy backhand from me) and a couple of sick blocks too. They did get one more goal, but that was all they got as we generated turns well and scored quickly on the fast break.vs BAF (won 15-6)
They couldn't cope with us on offence so as long as we didn't take stupid options they were never in the running. Most of their goals came off punts.vs Discuits (won 15-13)
After walking in our first point on O upwind against their zone we went down 8-5 at half after taking poor options and then compounding this by not playing any D. Our half time talk was all about putting it behind us and playing as a team by backing each other up. It worked a charm. They hated our zones, making few yards from lots of throws until one of their old guys jacked the disc... usually to me. :-) Highlight / lowlight of the game was the longest and most horrible point of ultimate I've ever played in (even worse than 'that one' in Coventry against Bristol); eye-witness accounts vary but basically I got about 6-8 blocks and proceeded to throw each and every one of them away. Thanks to those who were playing in the cup for working tirelessly and uncomplainingly when I kept turning over, and to Mum for an awe-inspiring head height layout block to save the upwind goal. We did score that point, and started scoring efficiently both on O and D. We moved the disc quickly, used the handoffs for a free breakmark, and (courtesy of two perfect Colonel forehand hucks upwind) scored 4 in a row to pull back to 12-12. Game to 3 boys... the last point was a long and hard fought one, several turns on each side, but finally Freddie scored the winner with a fantastic reaction layout grab. Special mention for Ewen for dropping a layout Callahan which he actually macked up to the Discuits handler to catch, and to Steady for attempting to bodycheck Lee Noble off the catch, taking a boot to the side of the head in the process and suffering what appeared to be a mild concussion. Ewen and Buddha tried to persuade him that his name was Chris Hill...vs Leeds (won 15-12) [game to get into top 8]
Arrived at the pitch at 8am to find it covered in a white blanket of snow... lovely but very cold. By the time we'd been through our warmup drills we were looking pretty slick, and we started the game with a quick defensive break. We got the disc on almost every one of Leeds offensive points, either through pressure or big blocks like Buddha's insane fly-by, but suddenly our decision making froze up and we started throwing crap, giving them multiple chances to score each time. They must have scored 3 or 4 off 50/50 mixer hucks that were poorly misread by our defenders (same as against BAF). Then our O line faltered, allowing them to get an easy poach D which they converted to get the break back. The half finished 8-7 to them, traded out, and we knew that we had more in the tank to give. We started pulling out some zone and transition, and the blocks started coming easily and we capitalised quickly and easily most times; on one transition Buddha read the play perfectly, stepped in for an easy smack down block before busting deep for Ewen to supply the assist. At 12-11 we really cranked it up. We got a block on the line and Freddie supplied a flick huck to hit me perfectly in stride; I remember catching one at the other end too as we started to dominate deep. Leeds couldn't deal with it, and as well as giving up the disc every time in their last three offences, we put the disc in first time too, taking four in a row to knock them out of the top eight and claim our spot with the big boys at Tour 2. Final point was a time out call by Dave on the upwind goal line (no surprises there), got stalled to 7 in their dodgy defence so he chose his favourite throw, his crosswind flick swing, which duly bladed up and down into a crowd where Freddie rather casually plucked it from the air for the win.vs Clapham 2 (lost 12-14) [6v7]
We played this game without any desire whatsoever for the first half. Luckily Clapham weren't playing so hot themselves and we only lost the half by 2 and very much still in the game. Our D was outstanding as we clamped down on their handlers and got blocks a plenty. Unfortunately poor catching focus cost us badly. We came out on D at 13-12 game to 14, got two blocks and still lost the point. An important lesson that we have to treasure the disc.vs Devon (won 15-6) [7v8]
After being scored on easily in the first point we got more aggressive on our cutting and stepped up our D, both man and zone were generating turns. We stepped up our O to match, with some sweet upwind hucks from Dave, Freddie and co. We took half 8-3 and they'd given up a long time before the game was done, but we finished it right with a nice little game to 3.Final position: 7th
---
Brummie
