Heroes play their first full match of ultimate ever

After 3 seasons, we finally have played a game where we can say we played well all night. The match started with Heroes on D, and a mistake from Cobra's near our end zone saw us take the first point. Defensive pressure saw another 2 turn overs and Heroes take the first 3 points. The fourth one was a bit longer, and I don't know who scored it, but we got out to 5-1 from some inspirational play from Bevan and lovely shots from S.G. Chris Brown got involved with some grabs in the end zone, and also some lovely flick hucks, one out of two coming off.

Sebastian didn't get any help with some throws his way being wayward, but he ended up with some nice grabs to finish off. Cobra's got angry with themselves but this only meant that Kailin & friends would demand the disc so that he could huck it to a 50/50 option. It turned out more like 80/20 I guess.

It can be said that Cobras did not play well and had a number of unforced errors. The pleasing thing is that we cannot recall any drops that we had that were uncontested and we managed to capitalise for a change. Confidence was high as we went to 8-2, taking the half convincingly.

Some desperate huck plays came off for Cobras, but it was neither enough to lift their team or to phase us. We won the second half 7-4, so that's 15-6 final score, the first time we have closed out a game before time cap.

We've beaten the Cobras 3 times now, and they have beaten us 3 times. We haven't beaten any other teams, but that's gonna change over the next 3 weeks!

YEA! we got one

With the talk about this Heroes BPL team needing to stand up and play this year, the boys finally put the training and skills learnt over the summer to use. We faced the under strength black cobras (minus tracthor and Calain) and after winning the toss and starting on o we went on a 5 or so to nil run on the snakes. In fact I dont remember much about this game, having been rendered to a concussion by Reeces right shoulder (straight to my chin). I think the half time score was 8-1. After half cobras picked up their game and started hucking away (Reece to finn) to make some scores. Infact they went on a 5 point run to come back to within 2. Heroes managed to keep this 2 point lead to eventually win on time cap 11-9 (not really sure, I had a sore head)

Promising moments was Adam Dowley on defensive, seeing him completely horizontal but other than that, I really tuned out with a thumping headache. Anyone feel like I missed anything, comment away.

Cobras strike

Sorry for the lack of a BPL report this week, believe it or not Carls been busy haha. Well too busy to blog, but ive found some time now.
What can we say about last weeks match against those black adders? Heroes started strongly but failed to be decisive missing early chances to put on score board pressure. The teams traded points until 6 all when cobras got a brake and then capitalized on O to take the half 8-6.
After half all the good work to pressure cobras into long points fell away and the snakes slithered into the endzone on the back of some bad errors. This game was easily our worst for the season. I think the final score was 15-9? not sure.
Take aways from the game. For me, dont try to catch a pull around your ankles, you ll drop it. When you turn it over in mid field and you are on Wetnose, just get in front of him cause he ll be breaking long. We all knew it was gonna happen but being out of position from the turn over didnt help (also a lesson I learnt).
This game was disappointing and we let ourselves down. Enuf said.

Wind Training

Tonight the new-look BPL mens team took on another new-look Cobras outfit.
Being a windy night, I copped a couple of throws in the face as the disc turned vertical in a gust on wind at the last moment.. this was before the game!

We had a warm-up game with Cobras agreeing to play 3 possessions at a time. We tried some 2-3-2, and O was frustrating in the gale force wind! The most pleasing thing is that the opposition also found it hard and would turn over the disc often.

Promising signs include Rick's work-ethic and great timing (a nice flick too to Matt in the end zone on Abra), and the way Matt injected himself into the game.

Carl made a war-speech about spirit. He was right. This season we have to play like we believe we are good enough to be there, and to fight out every point and back each other up. We need the fire!

Training will continue on Sunday at 3pm, Sylvan Rd for all. Matt will be running some skill drills.

BPL - A view from beneath

Well the first half of the season is down, and the Heroes have had a taste of each team. As this team is unknown to the BPL community, we see things a little differently. The following rankings are based on our experiences and other reports and results will be considered sparingly.

1. (2) Dojo - The rupturing of our metaphorical hymen was always going to be a messy, unforgettable and potentially traumatic experience. The Dojo were relentless, but had a "business-as-usual" approach. No hype was necessary. They executed their game-plan with indifference. While we will have a truck-load more confidence next time around, this welcome is hard to forget.

2. (5) SFC - Slamtown flattened our balls with a steam-roller. In contrast to the Dojo, they were all hype and high spirits. Their speed and athleticism was most impressive - the whirlwind oftentimes leaving us bewildered. To see them slip down so far on the ladder is surprising. Perhaps it shows that enthusiasm only gets you so far.

3. (6) Lovers - This is where things get ambiguous and confusing. The Lovers had no passion at all in the first half of our match. They had the countenance of a cancer patient begging to be put out of his misery. Out of nowhere, fearless leader Al Don created an ambush, and we were left helpless. They take #3 purely by the potential that was displayed.

4. (3) MBB - In reality, these guys will finish higher than SFC and Lovers. They play predictable, text-book ultimate, and they challenge you to beat them at it. Very patient and machine-like, with the ability to win most contested disc.

5. (1) Passion - This is most controversial. I was absent from our brawl, and it has been reported that Passion started poorly and then switched on the fist of fury to take the victory. This is not how we see it. Heroes claim that they stuck it to Passion before letting them back into the game. It was probably a mixture of both.

6. (4) Cobras - Early in the season, the Cobra's seemed like a group of athletic young men with bad attitudes. Their strats did not come off and they lacked discipline. They licked more than their wounds for over a week after losing to the Smackable Heroes.

7. (7) Heroes - Our performance? We are really pleased with how we are coming together as a team. Predicted as 15-3 easy-beats week in week out, we forced our critics to take us seriously with a win in game 2. We showed the UQ boys that they couldn't adopt their usual attitude toward us if they wanted to win and we fought hard against the Buggers. Low-lights include the SlamTown loss and the loss to Lovers after being up 8-2.

There you have it. Heroes - feel free to make corrections. Others - enjoy, comment, fight!

Torn Between Two

The aftermath of last nights BPL game Heroes V Cobras has brought about many questions to this lowly blogger.

1. What have I done?
2. Why did I change teams? (Common knowledge I'm a BPL traitor to Cobras)
3. How can the Heroes beat my new team?
4. What do I do now?

The answers to all those questions is basically train harder, lay out more and accept the loss. Apparently the answer is to throw a hammer but in this case I don't think it works.

But seriously as reflected in Dans post Heroes played great disc last night. And their plays came off, even with some lucky inside out hucks the Heroes made it count on the score board. Of course I'm glad to see Heroes winning and showing the BPL league a thing or two about the beloved club, but next time Can you beat another team and not Cobras...

In all honesty last night I wanted to prove why I switched teams and play hard to win. It was a nice feeling to burn Dan and throw a pass to score with Wetnose but all in all Cobras just didnt play the game we wanted to play.

Final assessment, well done Heroes I'm glad you were able to turn a win last night and keep it up - dont let it be a one off

Cobras, F***!

Upon arrival, one could sense excitement in the air. Excitement based around having some core members return. Excitement arising from the itch to get back on the pitch and prove ourselves. Excitement about playing a game which on paper seems our most winnable. The excitement of seeing Carl's team go down in flames..

So we were pumped. Excited, you might say. The last minute arrival of 3 subs proved important, as some long, running points were played out early on. The first point of the night was taken by Heroes in an unusual, comical (fitting) fashion. BPL debutant James "Panties" Morrell(da) took a great grab IN the end zone, before throwing it back up in the air. The disc was caught by yours truly, and I believe a pass to George and then Paul gave us the point. Wetnose informed us that James was in fact in the field of play, and the end zone, rendering his magic unnecessary.

Cobra's fought hard for the second point, but their frustration was obvious, hence the title of this blog. After calling a time out, they regrouped and the score meandered out to 5-2, with some long throws coming off, unlike our attempts. Heroes found some patience and consistency in O, whilst scrapping hard in D. We ended up taking the half (8-6) which featured some strong aerial skills from Gavin Croft and Bevan Rudolph.

At half time, Coach Boevink lead us in some breathing exercises. This obviously has something to do with Dojo and some sort of Sensei, but I don't really understand how to reference this. Cobra's again regrouped and came out strong, taking the game to 11-9. Whilst the breathing exercises brought an interesting touch, Matt's proudest moment of the night must have been when he sent Jangles long. Jangles had been handling all night, and beautifully, might I add, with some lovely flighted hucks. The move was executed just as beautifully, a demonstration of perfect flow.

Next point saw Myall take a blinder to score. He was moving fast, and toward the sideline. My view was blocked so I didn't realise what had happened until he was nearly in the creek, disc in hand.

11 all and last point brought about some risky play (of the hucking variety), but Heroes kept cool and James took the last point. If I mentioned Dusty's double happiness and Tom's relentless handling, I would have mentioned everyone. This is not my goal.

What was sweet about this victory is that it was unexpected. It is likely that the loss means more to Cobra's than the win to us. But the win is very pleasing, this early in the season. It brings respect.

Below are some out of context quotes for your enjoyment. I use them in jest.

"Unfortunately those players don't have much throwing experience and would get smacked if they entered as Heroes."

- League Director

"I agree with Stu that their scoreline success may be low"

-BPL Captain (was supportive)

"I also don't want to turn up to a game with full knowledge that my opponents are BUML Div 2 standard and they'll be lucky to score 3 points in a game."

-Firestorm Star

"byes DO s*ck. Walkovers aren't great either, if what Stu and Mike and John have said is true...

-BPL Captain"

"I also don't think we should rule them out as a team that will get thrashed in every game this season. They may well surprise all of us."

-Cobras captain

So there you have it. Well done lads, we have justified our existence.