Beach Ultimate. This was my first ever experience of it, and it is great fun- and hard work. During the weekend just gone by 90 odd players gathered on the sands of Coolangatta Beach, with a gusty southerly breeze.
We were the third seed in Pool B, and faced the top seed of the pool first; Flex. The first half saw Heroes having to adjust everything about our game to suit the conditions, Flex quickly ran out to a 7-point lead. The second half was much more pleasing, due to Flex losing concentration and us figuring out what we can do, the game ending in 11-3.
After a bit of a break we played ‘The Adventures of HUCKleberry Finn’ – which could also win the prize for the longest team name ever. With a DojoMojo core, Huckleberry played well, but with an actual warmup and extra throwing practice between games, so did the Heroes. Both teams spent the first few points sorting out the other, with each team getting several layout Ds. End score was 10-5 (??). Comment with a real score.
As many would agree, lunch was very appreciated, with the usual chicken and salad roll/sandwiches and the killer cheese as well. (thanks Taty!)
Last game for the day was against Trevor goes to the Beach. Heroes were consistent and controlled, with Jamie and Myall both pulling everything down- as was Trevor Lovering. End score 8-5 Heroes win.
The first game on Sunday was against Lovers. This was a tight game. Chris Brown dogged the Heroes to play for the Lovers, and Gref controlling the team – the students played a tight brand of breach ultimate that was difficult to counter. End score was a close victory for the Heroes (maybe 2 or 3 points).
Next up were the eventual champions from Wollongong, we were outgunned – as were almost every other team present. Claiming 4 points for ourselves to 13. They then went on to the grand final against Flex and won convincingly.
The 3rd place playoff included Heroes and Dusty’s Crumbled Quince. Both teams played damn hard, but Heroes did gave too much cheap disc to Reese and George – allowing them to take half 7-6. At this point time cap was called. Using my understanding of the rules, this would mean add 1 to the score and game to that, i.e. 8. Quince scored and most of the sidelines all assumed it was game; however it was decided (?) that it would be a game to 9 instead. In a strange and cruel twist the wind picked up, and the stakes raised. After 2 marathon-15plus-turnover-point Quince edged Heroes out for 3rd, 9-7.
All in all a freaking sweet tourney, amazing organisation and great fun.
