Marc's report on the first team in Sheffield. October 27th 2002 ----------------------------------------------------------- On a personal note I'd like to thank the first team for a great weekend. You all played fanatasticlly well and I'm very proud of you all......read on to find out why..... Having started the day at 6am or earlier (Benton, just as an example), we set off for oh so beautiful Sheffield, land of rundown industries and male strip joints. Spirits were asleep only to be woken to the frustration of Jon (and probably Rob and Dave alike) cursing at the road, the faulty or incomplete directions, the unmarked streets and backseat driving. Having spent 30 quality minutes being at each others throats with regards to where the Concourse hall actually was, we finally arrived. However team harmony had only temporarily been destroyed. Beginners set out first. Unfortunately, I neither know the opponents or the scores of the beginner's team's games a report will follow from James Kermode. However, I did notice that they played with a lot of heart. The D was solid, causing a lot of trouble to the poor sucker playing them and causing many turns. Regardless, as the tournament progressed, we saw many players take the responsibility of winning into their own hands. Having been pre-voted (less experienced) team MVP, Rob Y. had a fantastic final game, scoring more than a handful of points under the cheers of 'MVP' from the stands. Honnorable mention goes to every other player in the (less experienced) team. The improvement in play could actually be seen by comparison of the start to the end of the tournament. Then SB student 1st team, aided of veteran/friend Stretch had their first game against the oh-so loud and hammer-ready bears. Tough 1st match but we pulled out at the end having only ever fallen behind by a score of 1-0 due to technical difficulties by our very own captain Rich Turner to win the toss. Second match was against STD. Having found our poise and confidence we ruled over them to a score somewhat close to 10-1. Having not really been tested yet, it was suggested that we toughen the D even more in anticipation of things to come. Third game against Purple Haze was much more important. Having loss the toss on purpose to give our D line the head start on the game, the two teams exchanged points until a crucial 5-3 battle. Too many turnovers later, we had finally scored. This gave us the opportunity to test the zone against a team that would make us work for a turn. Zone D proved to be a very strategic tactic as we pulled out of our pool victorious. First cross over against Mute Animal Unit was an easy way to finish the day. This put us seeded 1st. An obligatory visit to Aunt Sallys was in order for dinner. And, after haing eaten enough meats to feed Burkina Faso for a month (solely due to the special offer of 10% off Saturdays, of course), we set out to a local pub for a few cold ones. As seen before Ben B. was in full form as chief drinking game advisor during a convoluted set of different games. However, from the depths of Sidney Sussex bar Rob Y. came out also to prove once and for all that 'number drinking games could be clearly outclassed by devon farmer games'. Honorable mention to Curt for never having understood the concept of Mr. Freeze and to our long lost friend John to come and play with us. The alter-ego of Robin finally came out to display after initiating the passing of 'deranged bunny'... All things said, it should be pointed out that we were really only here to celebrate our captain's birthday! We set out to the club where super cheesy 80s music went hand in hand with promiscuous Shefield women. Rich was still drinking, as he should, since it was his birthday. So was Ben, to make sure Rich did not drink alone. So was Robin... just for fun. And the 48 hour bender of Benton finally crashed on him... We returned home to Stretches humble and loving house. And gained an all so important 1 hour of sleep. The second team had to start early again and the team momentarily split up. Having had 2 mins to stretch and to get ready, the (less experienced) team played a phenomenal first match and won convincingly. The student 1st team came in late and still drunk. Second cross over was against STD for a second time. Better luck next time... This gave us a shot at the semi finals against Phat Eds. As in every dispute between the two teams, this game was very well spirited and close. A picture perfect invert from Marc G. to Rich was definitely a highlight (is that in this game?). Jon threw a great scoring pass at a critical time and Rob seemed to break the mark with every throw. And, once again, the zone gave us time and strategy when we pulled up a few points. Quoting Anna N. 'none of their women ever got the disc', the game was ours. We were set for the finals. The final against Hulltimate was expected to be very hard fought. We were ready to face the strong D of Hull by matching them at their own game. I still remember our first point taking us approximately 20 patient passes to score. Classic and clinical. We just needed to toughen up the D now. And that we did. Some great running all weekend by Jon Harris, Ben B. and Robin finally paid off as a sting of high catches, great grabs and confident throws inched us a few points a head. Rich had a monster game catching 3 or 4 scores. Anna Nelson, UPA champ and superstar was, once again, in full form, performing clean iso passes time and time again. We won by 2 or 3, our first win of a first non-student tournament in ages. For many players in the first team is was also their first final. If they always play like that we can look forward to a great season. Thanks everyone for a great weekend. FSU. Marc ps. Furious won UPA nationals for the first time ever! Oh Canada...