A Call for Authors

This blog has 17 authors. Surprised?

If you'd like to be one of these people, and would also like to post, then comment away!

More writers would surely spice up the HUC's treehouse.

BUML round 8

Open Ultimate has finished up for another year, which means its mixed season now baby! With many players now taking a well deserved break after nationals last week, and allowing themselves to rest for a couple weeks before refocusing on Mixed Nationals later this year in Perth. Expect several games to involve dominate players and energised players....

Division 1:

White Lantern vs Drop Bears.

Last time these teams meet was in round 3, and Drop Bears have found themselves some more depth with Buz joining the ranks. This frees up Pete Allen to cut and be a massive target downfield. With this addition even the once seemingly infallible Dyspnoeics have struggled, coming up with a 13 all draw.

It seems that Drop Bears have laid there claim as a real competitive division 1 force.

However, White Lantern does stand currently in third place on the ladder; and now also have several players with Nationals experience - renewing their vigor.
Past games mean nothing when rosters change.
White Lanterns by 2.

Division 2:

Heroes vs Discheads.

WOOHOO! Intra Club Battle! I love these games.
Heroes should be well rested, or could that then mean rusty? Who knows?
Surprisingly these two teams haven't met yet this season. These teams are really quite even, 5th and 4th respectfully. Apparently that tips the scales slightly in favor of Discheads.
I expect a close game with several turns, either team with a potent offense will prevail in this game. Looking at you, Brad Dull, Luke Stark.

Discheads by 4

Agents vs Disc-iples

And the award for the worst team name goes to... (Hint: they wear black). Anyways despite the name, the Disc-iples haven't been playing good ultimate of late - opening the door for a Agent win. The once Orange fortress of the Gap SHS, has been under siege this season (thankfully the White Lanterns have restored some of the fortress' glory).

Get pumped Agents, this is a great opportunity!

Agents by 5

Nationals next week!

In a pleasant change for this blogger, I wont be mentioning BUML once. This years premier tourney is on in Newcastle, from the 22nd to 25th. Although the Heroes Club does have a team representing at AUC this year, there are several club members playing for Firestorm, Wombats, Firestorm Ignition and of Black Betty. They are as follows:

Opens:
Firestorm: Chris Brown.
Wombats: George Salisbury
Firestorm Ignition: Carl Behrendorff, Craig Behrendorff, Sebastian Brown, Myall Hingee, Guarin Owen and Dan Strelan (almost half the team!)


Women:
Black Betty: Jo Ashdown, Brianna Fyffe and Sandra Poon.

Congrats to all these players! Brisbane Ultimate really does care how we all play and how we represent. Bring it on.

Ways that you can (and should be) support your teams at Nationals:
1) Hit the website up! it here. Its got everything, draw, team profiles etc

2) Follow Firestorm Ultimate on Twitter. @firestormulti

3) Like Nationals Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/2012-Australian-Ultimate-Championship/277866728942943

4) Check out  http://ulti.tv/ for game footage.

5) Look out for facebook updates from the people listed above

BUML Rd 7: Because anonymous asked for it

Div1

This week in the top division marks the second phase of round robin style draw that we have got going. Most teams will probably feel confident about there chances for making the finals now that they've played each team once.

Poachers have unexpectedly found themselves on top of the table, being undefeated - albeit with 2 draws. Draws suck. Kalin is the real driving force here. UQ have also gone without losing a game, sitting just 1 point behind in second place. This was cemented last week with a win against Dysponoeics. Particularly, impressive as they were savage the whole game and had a 3:4 guy:girl split. Dysponoeics do however have the best +/- of the division (20) suggesting that they could have suffered from big game nerves or got too comfortable after beating lower raked teams. Coming up in fourth place is HUCs own White Lantern, who have been improving each week and are looking at clawing up the board in this second half of the season. Some of our games have also been lost from winnable positions, suggesting that we're not far from being right at the top. Fifth and Sixth are both teams that have disappointing starts to the season, with only 1 win between them - in a game played against each other.

Come finals time, I really do feel like any of the top 4 teams these teams could win against any of the other 3. Should be a very interesting finals series (when it gets here).

WL vs UQ

Ok, so now for an actual match preview.
White Lantern v. UQ. WL had a draw last week, UQ put in a dark blue assault of a game. Point 1 to UQ. UQ won in a second half comeback last time we met. Another point to UQ. White Lanterns have been improving throughout the season, WL gets one back. WL also will come out with a changed attitude, toward the spirit of the game and personal enjoyment, 1 point for WL.

Thats 2 all. Therefore this game will probably be a tightly contested one, full of Gref and BW playmaking and Carl and Chaddy shenanigans.

WL by 3. (almost obligatory)

Div2

This is where I think a second writer would be good, someone that actually plays in the division would be sweet. But that hasn't stopped me so far, ... so  tally ho!
 

Heroes vs Tsunami

Tsunami are at top of the table, but from what I have seen of them (a limited sample) they do still turn the disc over a fair bit. Heroes should therefore concentrate on solid fundamentals. Minimise drops, throwaways and try to convert on offense.

Tsunami by 6

Baby Chimis vs Discheads

Discheads have come off, oh wait its not on the BUML website (Rick? or is that a LD or a ground director issue?). I'll assume my tip was correct and Discheads lost, sorry guys. The good news is that this week should be different, your playing Chimis.

Discheads by 5

Bermuda vs Agents

Unfortunately this isn't going to be a close, or high quality game. Agents have been found wanting this season and Bermuda are doing what Agents did last season and by that I mean, winning everything. But were ever positive and hopefully in the tent fort, from which I write this blog post (literally).

Bermuda by 8

BUML Round 6.

Div2:

The word around the club is that all the div2 teams are going to struggle for numbers. Just a side note for BUML LDs (from the most supportive guy ever) maybe not schedule games on Easter Monday. Perhaps just rock a pickup game? I feel like this would result in less games with not many players. Just saying.

Baby Chimis vs Heroes

I'd ordinary say Heroes are gonna win this, and today is no different. This is despite Heroes being down a couple players. Chimis have struggled this season to win games, however this could be blooding new players. Not a lot to say about this game, hey.

Heroes by 6

Triangle vs Discheads

Again, Discheads are gonna be down several guys and ladies. Triangle are probably gonna win this one. Unfortunately, Triangle haven't been challenged at all this season - not even by WTH.

Expect Triangle run down in a massive 5 person cup. I still dont get that... Handlers just swing it and wait for the whole team to run out of breath.

BT by 8

What the Huck? vs Agents

Agents have been down on numbers lately, hopefully tonight is gonna be different. I'm still hopeful for a Agents win. WTH having been getting good results in each game, I expect this to be no different.

WTH by 6

Div1:

White Lantern vs Poachers

This is where I get the say the BUB is behind the times. In line with several other teams, Poachers should be down a couple key players i.e. Myall, Jmac. Making an already slim line very small. White Lanterns actually should be quite a full strength team, and should run hard all night.  I'm looking forward to this game, should be really fun.

White Lanterns by 5

BUML Round 5: Preview

White Lantern vs Ghost Who Walks - Gap2

After last weeks games, both of these teams will be looking to chalk up a win. Lanterns in previous weeks have been  improving with each game, getting stronger and faster and more cohesive. Whereas I haven't seen the Ghostys play this season - I will assume that the same game plan is order (as for the last 3 seasons). Send ladies long and let play flow through Luke's flick. Solution: zone, don't poach deep.

Rumours have also surfaced of a magic lantern that WL will use to recharge their powers before the game to come out hot, and on the money.

On googling 'Ghost That Walks', I found its a debut album of Karen Elson (relevance?) Anyways ...

Using Dyspnoeics as a yardstick,
White Lanterns by 6

 

Discheads vs WTH - Annerley3B

This looks like a hot game,  4th taking on 2nd separated only by goal difference (5 and 15, respectfully). The Discheads got shown up last week this a loss to Tsunami (could be a following the old Discheads tactic of 'walking quietly and holding a big stick'). WTH sweep aside the Green Heroes last week, but from what I saw from across the field (whilst struggling to get a point!) was not convincing - so WTH had better bring it all they could be be facing another loss and slipping down the ladder.

David Warren. yep the guy that invented to black box, its up to you to lead the troops!

While genuinely trying to find a picture for this part of the post, I found this (on google):

Nice mullet Luke Stark!

WTH by 4

 

Heroes vs Triangle - Easts 3

Heroes will have a tough game. Triangle will naturally come in a massive cup (its up to 6 now right?) and granted its hard to throw through that, but around it, well that is something else entirely.

Cheat Sheet on how to beat a cup:
Fast and confident handler cuts and disc movement.
Get the dishy if its there to be had!
Make sure Bradley goes deep and takes Geoff out of the picture, this will open space up.
and finally,
Offense is easy, chill out and walk it in.

How to defend against Triangle:
Watch out for Geoff's double, triple, 4-peat etc cuts. If he is not touching the disc flow will dry up.
If Geoff does get the disc, he generally doesn't break the mark (despite being able to), mark the open side religiously. Give them nothing.

Step three is take half, followed closely by step 4 (win the game)

Walkthrough compete. Give this a watch before the game, and get pumped up!

Triangle by 5

 

Agents vs Tsunami - Gap2

Whereas Agents are winless, they have played a sample of the top half of the ladder. But the Big Waves are on the march, after good wins in previous rounds. Things that I've learnt from playing Tsunami, Erik is taller than you think. This sounds dump, but when your deciding if you should throw the bomb deep make sure its super - crazy - ridiculously on before you throw it.  Gavin could be making a comeback tonight, but that remains to be seen (I should asked him when I saw him). Agents will surely win more games with that kinda guy on the lines.


Tsunami by 4