Mixed Nationals 2007 2007- Ultimate Evolution

The late start ended up even later as I only just woke up in time to pack my gear up and squeeze in a shower before we had to check out at 10. We headed down to the fields via our shortcut and warmed up for our first game against Ambivalence. Ambivalence were more awake than us and seemed to want the game more. They had a really fast guy and two girls who were hucking machines and they blew us away in the first half, taking it 8-2. Robbee also managed to injure her good ankle during the game and received some treatment from a slightly deafened St Johns volunteer. The second half was much better as we woke up, we brought it back to 13-10 before they took it out 15-10. We really should have played better against these guys. They lost to Gary in the next game and finished only one spot above us.

The final game of the tourney was against sCAPEgoats. We were pretty determined to win and we brought it for the last game. Our hucking game came back with a vengeance and we were beating them all over the field. The voice from the sidelines was awesome and people were still busting it hard despite everyone’s legs being pretty much shagged and Robbee having both ankles strapped. Morgan, in attempting to describe a particular play as both sensational and spectacular managed to come up with a new word, senspacular. We took half easily, 8 – 2 and then finished off the game with a 15 – 8 win. We then played the evolution game as given to us by the Super Happy Lounge Lizards which was just as hilarious as the first time except that this time K managed to evolve beyond and amoeba.

Post game, Morgan, Robbee, Denis and I made a beeline for our bags and the rest stayed to watch the final between Bootius Maximus and Spider Pig which Bootius eventually took out 15-14. Morgan, Robbee and I got a lot of weird looks at the airport as we hobbled around at a ridiculously slow pace and I discovered that I’d booked my flights for the next Sunday instead of this one. After a slightly expensive adjustment of flight times, we were on our way, where I was once again ignored in preference of the exit row. And so ends the story of Mixed Nats 2007. Please accept my apologies if I missed anything important, but I really can’t remember much detail from the games. Next time, we either need a video or notes.

Here’s a summary of our results.
Day 1
Lost 15-5 to FAF
Lost 15-5 to Pie Wagon
Won 15-8 against Super Happy Lounge Lizards

Day 2
Lost 15-5 to MUCUS
Lost 13-12 to Gary
Won 14-11 against woMANLY

Day 3
Lost 15-10 to Ambivalence
Won 15-8 against sCAPEgoats

I also feel that the whole team contributed so well that each player deserves a bit said about them, so here goes, my impressions of how everyone played with some help from Morgan. K was awesome all weekend. He managed to keep his frustrations under control and lead the team fantastically while still putting in 300% on the field. K's the player who's always there when you need him and just doesn't quit. He was still running full speed for the last point of the weekend. His handling was impressive, but it was his popping and 1-2’s that really set him apart. Those of you with a Facebook account can see a video of K throwing a no-look pass to Robbee as the crowd goes nuts.

Robbee's handling was sublime. Her passes as a middle handler are always flat and quick, the defence has absolutely no chance to get them, but the thing which caught the other teams off guard were her huge outside in hucks down the line. Robbee's support effort both on and off the field also needs a special mention. While injured on day 3, getting her ankle strapped and obviously in pain, she was still one of the loudest voices on the sideline. Her pep talks in the huddle also helped lift the team on countless occasions.

Muffler's handling was excellent all weekend. Consistent and controlled, he used the disc well and saved a bunch of discs from hitting the dirt. On D Muffler was fantastic in the endzone stopping hucks to the talls. Adam also made quite a few honey passes which almost always ended up with a UE score. Way to work together Muff and Robyn. In your honour, we are renaming the honey pass, the Muffyn.

Robyn brought us some fresh legs on Saturday and really gave the team a boost. She pulled down a bunch of contested discs from the air and kept her head to send a handy pass up field. In the last game she made a wide open cut to the front corner of the endzone but got looked off. She busted it back to the stack as the disc swung across the field and cut for a catch and score to the other side. Awesome effort. Robyn also showed her excitement on numerous scoring efforts, with arms waving about madly in sheer delight.

Shine owned day three. He was fantastically consistent and cool headed in both games and really made a difference. On Day 2 he managed to get Manning’s vote for comment of the tourney after landing on his butt and claiming he's used to his arse taking a pounding. Probably the most memorable even was the gratuitous layout, handily captured by Wazza and available for your viewing hilarity on Facebook. With only an occasional hat throw and grumble, Denis certainly showed that he could pull himself together and play some wonderful Ultimate.

Sando was a defence machine. I have no idea how many discs he plucked out of our defensive endzone when it looked certain that the other team was going to score. His hucks and pulls were sublime as always and when he was handling, the disc went exactly where it was supposed to go (except against Ambivalence where all his forehands were disgraceful). I remember a point where the other team put a huck into the endzone and Sando's mark went up for the catch and score. Dave was behind him, but still managed to snatch the disc from in front of the guy's eyes. The look on the guys face was priceless. He couldn't figure out how he didn't even manage to touch the disc while Dave was already putting another perfect pass into the hands of a cutter.

Chris Manning put in some very consistent handling and runs down every disc. Supreme efforts on defence, with many layout attempts and intercepts. He also played a very useful handling/middle role, and his 1-2’s and running were extremely useful. Chris’ voice on the sidelines and especially on the field is so important in the tight games. He’s constantly reminding us to have fun, and his tactical nous is exactly what we need.

B2 is a hucking machine. Put B2 in the forehand handler position and if anyone gets some space long, B2 will put it into their hands for a score. Ben put particular effort into giving advice to Nelly and copped it from everyone. His vision is excellent and his handling was close to perfect all tournament. Nelly played better than I’ve ever seen her play before. She was grabbing macced discs, running non-stop and tirelessly and with a good turn of speed that caught a lot of her defenders off guard. Many times she would pull out some great intercepts, and then bust it hard.

Morgan is tall. There’s not really much else to say. Eventually he remembered how to catch and all tournament was stopping the other teams putting it long. He also managed several very good hucks after running in from the long position to get a short disc.

Fid has monster pulls and isn’t afraid to use his small hammers over the cup to break up the zone. Fid put in some excellent running the whole tourney, including one beautiful streaming run the whole length of the field for a score.
Wendy surprised everyone with a huge forehand huck in the first game. Overall, she had great all-round handling and is a very reliable and solid playmaker. She drifts long effortlessly and the defence really have to watch her. Wendy also ran hard in defence, and played particularly hard in the party! She also deserves special kudos for bringing beer to the spa and washing everyone’s shirts… twice.

Stanno had perhaps the greatest sideline voice of anyone, but it was her cuts which stood out. She was somewhat under-utilized perhaps in receiving the disc, but always cutting, running and making her best efforts for the team. This drew other players away to make space for our fortuitous scorers. Played a very good last game, where she received the disc and passed very well.

Pam put in some amazing popping. Very confident handling, and played some vital roles in the close games with her popping and then 1-2’s with the handlers. She teamed up with Morgan on several occasions to create scoring opportunities and also ran hard in defence and managed a few scores of her own.

Shanty did a fantastic job running long and his fresh legs on Saturday were fantastic. Came in late but provided a spark of energy. His long running really stretched defences and created opportunities. His disc work was also at the highest level that I have seen. Shaun’s natural tendency to throw long very quickly was squashed and he played his part in team work by making the best pass every time.

Richie is officially short, shorter even than B2, but officially totally hot in a dress. Won the party! Took over games, when he would all of a sudden be involved in everything, throwing, running, scoring and defence. He did it all.

As a special bonus for those refusing to join the communication revolution and get photos of them in their underwear tagged on Facebook, I've compiled a bunch of photos from Facebook, my phone and my camera for your amusement.
Please note these photos have not been sanitized and probably should not be forwarded to my mother.